Port Colborne Fire conditions

People living near the site of Tuesday’s massive industrial fire in Port Colborne are still being asked to stay inside, with their windows and doors closed.

Fire authorities say the freezing weather conditions have made it difficult for crews to tackle the remaining hot spots.

Destroyed by scorching flames, what’s left of the Vinyl Works Canada building sits in a smouldering heap. Firefighters from Port Colborne worked throughout the night to tame hot spots, but were forced to stop at times because of the sub zero temperatures.

“Everything was frozen. At 5:30 this morning we had to stop because we had hoses that were so frozen we weren’t passing water through them.” according to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bedina.

Water to fight the blaze was brought in by neighbouring fire departments for hours until crews were able to drill through the ice that covered the nearby Welland Canal

Fire authorities say while it’s still early in the investigation, the building is a total loss. Damage is estimated upwards of $1 million.

The massive blaze in Port Colborne caused plumes of smoke that could be seen across the border and into the States.

Fire authorities say the freezing conditions have made it all the more difficult for crews to tame the intense blaze.