(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

UPDATE: Multiple buildings destroyed in hay plant fire east of Lethbridge

Jul 2, 2021 | 11:02 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Firefighters remain on scene nearly two days after a significant fire broke out at Green Prairie International.

Just after 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 30, a small fire started in one of their hay storage warehouses on Highway 3 between Lethbridge and Coaldale.

LNN spoke to a firefighter on scene Friday morning, who said security camera footage showed that it was only a matter of seconds before a few sparks turned into a blaze that encompassed the entire building.

READ MORE: Fire crews called to blaze at Green Prairie International

An official cause has yet to be determined, but with extreme heat and a highly flammable substance, it would not have taken much to get it going.

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As the fire expanded to about 58,000 square feet, the initial fire crew was on scene for upwards of 20 hours trying to get it under control. Eventually, they were able to contain the fire to just a few hot spots.

As of around 10:00 am on Friday, there are still a few flames here and there.

A smaller group of firefighters from Lethbridge and Coaldale remain on scene with their goal to keep the fire from spreading to Green Prairie’s other buildings and the surrounding farmland.

They are patrolling the area every 20 minutes to ensure it does not get out of control again.

The firefighter told LNN that they will likely continue working in the area for at least the next week.

In a media release from the City of Lethbridge Thursday evening, early damage estimates were at approximately $5-million. No injuries have been reported.

Nobody from Green Prairie was available to provide any further comments or updates.

(Lethbridge News Now)

(Lethbridge News Now)