Fire at Recycling Plant Forces Evacuations in Saint John

Firefighters battle a blaze at a metal recycling yard along the harbour at Saint John, New Brunswick, that has led to the closure of three schools in the area, Sept. 14, 2023. The Canadian Press/Michael Hawkins

Three schools have been evacuated and thousands of residents have been told to take shelter as firefighters tackle a massive fire in a recycling plant on the harbour in Saint John, New Brunswick.

A dense layer of smoke enveloped the area surrounding the fire that broke out at the American Iron and Metal (AIM) scrapyard on Gateway Street, on the west side of the city.