Fire crews were working to extinguish a fire at a southeast Calgary recycling plant Monday morning that began the evening prior. At around 6 p.m. Sunday, crews were called to Ecco Recycling and Energy between Barlow Trail S.E. and 24 Street S.E. The fire sent thick black smoke into the air as crews used a bulldozer to try to put the fire out. Ecco president Alec McDougall says he has asked investigators to look at the possibility of arson in connection with the fire, which began in the northeast corner of the property. “The fire is in an area of the landfill where there has been no activity for several months,” he said in a statement. “It is made up of construction and demolition waste and contains no organics.” There was no word yet on how the fire started. According to an update issued by the CFD battalion chief shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, crews remained on scene trying to bring the fire under control and extinguish it. Smoke from the site is drifting to the southeast, which the CFD hazardous materials team is sampling. Ecco personnel are also onsite around the clock to assist, McDougall added. “We are grateful to the Calgary firefighters who have been working to contain this fire,” he said. “Our priority is to support their efforts, ensure the situation remains under control and help get the fire fully extinguished as quickly and safely as possible.” The smoke is likely to cause some irritation if inhaled. The fire department advises people in the communities of Douglasdale, Quarry Park, East Shepard, McKenzie Town, New Brighton and Copperfield to keep windows closed and to remain indoors if possible until the fire is out. Anyone who smells smoke in their area of business or home is advised to keep windows closed. Investigation is also underway into a fire on the 2500 block of 49 Ave. S.E. that started around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. There was previously a fire at Ecco Recycling in April, 2022. The company has operated in Alberta for more than 30 years and processes more than 200,000 tonnes of construction and demolition material annually. Approximately 80 per cent of that material is diverted from City of Calgary landfills through recycling and other recovery processes. With files from CTV Calgary’s Darren Wright
