UPDATE 5:00 p.m.:
Fire crews are still on scene at Sudbury Truck and Trailer on Whissell Avenue, however the fire is now under control and residents in the area are being allowed back into their homes.
There will still be a residual smell of smoke in the area so residents are reminded to remain indoors, close all doors and windows, and shut off air intakes, Greater Sudbury Fire Services said in a news release.
"The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office has been called in to assist with the investigation," the release said.
UPDATE 2:50 p.m.:
Greater Sudbury Fire Platoon Chief Mike Valiquette said Saturday afternoon residents around Sudbury Truck and Trailer have been evacuated, either to a nearby school or to the homes of family and friends, as fighterfighters battle the cold and other challenges to put out the fire.
The force isn't sure how long it will take to extinguish the fire.
“It's hard to estimate,” Valiquette said, adding that the building's roof has Styrofoam insulation, adding to the mix of other industrial compounds currently burning.
However, there's no danger to residents, he said, and that people were evacuated as a precaution. The Red Cross is helping those at the school.
The call to respond to the fire came in at 9:13 Saturday morning.
Firefighters are working with the city's communications department to issue updates as they become available, Valiquette said.
Check back to sudbury.com for further updates to this story.
UPDATE 1:50 p.m.:
Greater Sudbury Fire Services continue to work to extinguish a large industrial fire at Sudbury Truck & Trailer Centre on Whissell Avenue in Sudbury.
Currently, five stations are responding to the fire, including eight trucks and 36 firefighters.
Residents in the area are reminded to remain indoors, close all doors and windows, and shut off air intakes due to the heavy smoke in the vicinity. The City asks that residents and motorists stay away from the area where possible while crews are working and smoke is present.
Residents in the immediate vicinity of the fire have been evacuated as a precaution while the fire is being extinguished and heavy smoke is in the area.
Greater Sudbury Police are on site, assisting with road closures due to the smoke. Current road closures in the area include: Bond Street at Percy Avenue, King Street at Clinton Avenue, Agnes Street at Bond Street, Percy Avenue at King Street, Percy Avenue at St. George Street. Police will advise when roads have been reopened.
Due to the high amount of loss anticipated as a result of the fire, the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to assist with the investigation.
No injuries have been reported.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The public is being asked to avoid the area around Whissell Avenue, and EMS crews have been seen wearing masks, so there are concerns about exactly what is burning.
Emergency crews are battling a major structure fire near Notre Dame Avenue at Sudbury Truck and Trailer.
"City of Greater Sudbury Fire Services are on the scene of a large fire at Sudbury Truck and Trailer on Whissell Avenue," the city said in a news release Saturday. "Residents in the immediate area and in the vicinity of the smoke are asked to go indoors, close all doors and windows and turn of any air intakes due to heavy smoke from the fire.|
Other residents and motorists are asked to stay away from the area if possible while crews are working to extinguish the fire.
This story will be updated as more details become available.
