City asks residents to stay inside as fire at AIM's metal recycling plant rages on

Many Saint John residents were asked to take shelter from the smoke or wear masks Thursday as a scrapyard fire raged on by the harbour on the city's west side 

Crews have been battling at the American Iron and Metal recycling plant since early morning.

Three schools across Saint John Harbour have been forced to close because of the smoke, and people living near it were advised to stay inside.

"There's quite a bit of smoke in the area," said Saint John Fire platoon chief Ed Moyer.

There have been no reports of injuries from the fire, which started at about 1 a.m. in a tall pile of compressed cars and metals.

The Saint John Emergency Measures Organization says residents in the south end of the city and Millidgeville areas should also voluntarily stay inside.

"Closing all windows and doors is recommended as well as turning off HVAC systems," the City of Saint John said in a statement.

"It is recommended that if you are in an area where you smell smoke, that you limit your exposure outside. Should you need to be outside, consider wearing a mask as a precautionary measure."

Saint John High School, Saint Malachy's Memorial High School and St. John the Baptist/King Edward Schools all closed at 8:50 a.m.

WATCH | A look at the fire at AIM recycling plant from earlier this morning:

Air quality in the city has deteriorated significantly. According to the federal government air quality index, conditions are at "moderate risk," or four out of 10 as of 10 a.m. At 8 a.m., conditions were at one, or "low risk."

No evacuation notices had been issued as of 10:30 a.m.

The burning pile of metal is 100 feet high, 300 feet long and 200 feet wide, Moyer said.

There have been some small explosions in this scrap pile, and crews are working to make sure flames don't spread to other piles.