Today marks 20 years since the Plastimet Industrial fire, the biggest blaze in Hamilton’s history.

The fire burned for three days, but the fallout lasted years. Many lessons were learned and it was the catalyst for changes for firefighters and their families.

Not only was this the largest fire in Hamilton history but also one of the worst chemical fires in Canadian history.

The fire erupted on the evening of July 9, 1997 in a factory packed with plastics that sent a toxic plume of smoke into the sky.

Britt Dixon spoke with several firefighters who responded to the scene who recalled their experience.

On July 12 after over 70 hours and 22,000,000 gallons of water, the blaze was finally out.

The fire had lasting effects on those who battled it.

More than 260 firefighters battled the Plastimet blaze and most of them reported some health effects.