Disasters · Kingston yard fireKingston structure fire: KIMCO blaze contained after schools shelteredAired October 23, 2026 at 7:05 AM UTCWritten October 23, 2026 at 7:10 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Smoke forced several schools to shelter in place.0:10Firefighters contained the Kimco Steel blaze, but hot spots still needed work.0:14The city had already ordered safety fixes at the yard.0:17What still needs to happen at the site, and where do the precautions beyond it0:20stand?0:21The fire broke out at Kimco Steel, a scrap metal yard at 1325 John Counter Boulevard0:26in Kingston, Ontario.0:27Kingston Fire and Rescue received the call around 8:40 Thursday morning, October0:3122nd.0:32The city asked drivers to avoid John Counter Boulevard between Sir John A.0:36MacDonald Boulevard and Lapins Lane.0:38It warned of intermittent closures and delays along that stretch, as crews0:41responded.0:42About 75 firefighters responded, supported by about 18 fire apparatus.0:47Crews from Loyalist Township and South Frontenac joined Kingston's response as dark0:51smoke billowed over the city.0:52Fire crews initially received a call describing a structure fire.0:56Their later update placed the fire's origin in an outdoor pile of materials.1:00The pile's precise contents and what ignited it are still unknown.1:03Excavators helped separate the piled materials so firefighters could reach the1:07remaining hotspots.1:08crews still had that work to do after containing the fire.1:11Kingston confirmed containment during Thursday without announcing when every hotspot1:15was out.1:21The smoke reached beyond the yard and changed the school day.1:24Several limestone district school board schools sheltered in place, and the board1:28told families that students and staff were safe.1:31Indoor school activities continued.1:33The board explained that sheltering in place typically involves keeping doors and1:37windows closed.1:38That approach kept children indoors during the smoke rather than sending them1:42outside for an evacuation.1:43The city of Kingston reported no injuries.1:45That was the city's reported position during Thursday's response while public health1:49officials were also warning people about symptoms from smoke exposure.1:53Southeast Public Health advised people to stay indoors when possible and close1:57windows and doors.1:58Anyone having difficulty breathing or other symptoms of smoke exposure was urged to2:02seek emergency medical care.2:04Fire safety concerns at the yard predated the emergency.2:08Kingston Fire and Rescue had inspected the property and issued an order telling its2:12owner to make corrections.2:13The city hasn't detailed those concerns or said whether the owner completed the2:17required work.2:18No connection between the earlier concerns and the fire's ignition has been2:21confirmed.2:22The city also says it can't yet give a damage estimate.2:25Containment is confirmed.2:26As of shortly after midnight Friday, there's still no confirmation that all hotspots2:30are out or that school road and smoke precautions have ended.2:33Thursday's school measures describe what happened during that school day.2:37Fire crews will work with the property owner to ensure the site meets safety2:40standards.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗