Part of Burnside Industrial Park in Dartmouth was closed on Friday after a scrap yard fire sparked air quality signals and warnings.
Approximately 30 firefighters and 10 trucks are still on the scene at 2pm on Friday.
The Halifax fire says it has been extinguished since then, but electricity in the area is still limited.
Members will continue to watch the fire at night.
Authorities say air quality in the area has improved and monitoring of polluted runoff will continue over the weekend.
Halifax Fire Chief Pat Klein said an external fire call was received at the Dartmouth Metals scrap yard around 11:15 p.m.
Klein says the team also used a high-resolution drone and thermal imager to identify the hottest parts of the fire.
“It will be hours,” Klein said Thursday afternoon. “The crews did a great job on their initial arrival to control it and keep it in the pile of rubble and protect this building for exposure behind us.”
As a result of thick smoke around 1:20 pm, the emergency system was used to warn the residents about the air quality in the area.
The signal said residents and businesses near the fire should close all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves, which is estimated to take approximately three to six hours.
Dartmouth Metals is a family business dating back to the 1960s.
Its owner, David Giberson, is fishing in New Brunswick, but receives updates throughout the day from on-site workers.
“I am just shocked and awe that this happened because where it happened. It just happened in the middle of a steel pile, “Giberson said.
A large cloud of black smoke could be seen miles from the yard.
“We have a rescue depot with motor vehicles that have been crushed and they still have remnants of rubber fuel, batteries,” Klein said.
However, Giberson said Dartmouth Metals does not accept materials with tires or liquids. He said his team ensures vehicles are deactivated when they arrive.
“It is possible that the battery slipped in and ignited the tissue,” he said. “But I have no proof of that.”
“We will do our due diligence and try to understand the source and minimize the likelihood of it ever happening again,” Giberson said.
Klein said it was unclear what ignited the fire and police said the investigation was ongoing.
“This will be investigated for some time and we may never find the cause, as it was a big pile of crushed cars,” Klein said.
Ackerley Boulevard was closed to traffic between Mosher Drive and Windmill Road. Police have asked drivers to use alternative routes to avoid delays.
Halifax Regional Police said no one was injured in the blaze.
Giberson apologized for the problems caused by the fire.
“This has created such an inconvenience for the whole of Burnside and the city,” he said. “It’s uncomfortable. I’ll make sure we do our best here at Dartmouth Metals to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
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