Fire at Elliot Lake landfill; residents warned air quality could be affected

After three years of warnings, the owner of an apartment building in Elliot Lake has been fined $3,500 under the Environmental Protection Act. (File)

Elliot Lake residents are being warned their air quality could be impacted following a fire at the city’s landfill Tuesday.

Details are still few at this stage but the city issued a release Tuesday afternoon stating Scott Road and the landfill were closed until further notice.

People were asked to avoid the area to allow the fire department to do its job and to take measures such as limiting their time outdoors and making sure that windows in their homes are closed.

In an update Wednesday morning, the city said the landfill would reopen Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.

"Crews monitored the site overnight and have deemed it safe to reopen," the update said.

"Thank you to residents for your cooperation in staying clear of the site while Fire Crews were at work."

CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca will continue to follow this story and bring you details as they become available.