Two fires at Augusta Recyclers caused by compressed gas containers, or spray cans, have raised safety concerns from the City of Powell River operations department and Powell River Fire Rescue.
The most recent fire was on August 14, caused by a small spray-paint container, according to deputy fire chief Rocky Swanson.
Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department attended the fire.
“Those firefighters and Augusta staff were lucky,” stated Swanson in a city media release. “Had that been a larger container, such as a small propane tank, there’s a chance someone could have been seriously injured.”
City operations manager Rod Fraser said residents should be careful with items added into their curbside bins.
“Propane, butane and spray cans are not accepted in curbside collection,” stated Fraser. “If workers see items not acceptable, the whole container of items may be rejected as contaminated.”
The release states for residents to only include household empty aerosol containers, such as hairspray, shaving cream, deodorant, air fresheners and whipped cream for collection at curbside, or take them to the depot.
The release further states to not put compressed gas cylinders, including propane, butane or spray cans into recycling. These can be taken to Augusta Recyclers for safe disposal.
Swanson stated that explosions resulting from even a small spray can can create an extremely high risk to firefighters and the public.
“When this occurs, the shrapnel created is significant,” stated Swanson. “Many of us in our careers have been hit by such debris and it remains a serious concern of firefighters everywhere.”
