The cause of a fire that destroyed buildings at the Francis Cooke Regional Landfill is still being investigated, but Canmore RCMP said it appears the buildings were broken into prior to the blaze.
“It’s unclear what the source of ignition was, and it appears to be a break and enter (at the main building),” said Sgt. Ryan Currie.
There is no suspect(s) and investigations continue while operations at the landfill have since resumed.
The main administration office, scale house and one vehicle, along with equipment at the class 3 facility were destroyed on Nov. 22.
Landfill staff didn’t discover the charred and smoky remains until Nov. 23, which forced operations to cease for 48 hours.
The landfill buildings have been subject to break and enters previously, said Currie.
As security remains an issue, administration will seek to upgrade the new buildings due to “repeated” thefts at regional landfills, said Paul Ryan, board chair for Bow Valley Waste Management Commission (BVWMC).
Ryan said an upgrade would also fit with the life expectancy of the landfill, expected for three more decades.
“Insurance will only replace the buildings like they were,” Ryan noted. “If the landfill is to last as long as we expect it to, certainly those buildings won’t last.”
Ryan expects BVWMC will have to dip into its reserve funds to support a decision for improved buildings.
First estimates of fire damages were $300,000 to $500,00, but Ryan expects it to be a greater number.
