Firefighters from three Comox Valley departments were called to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre Sunday evening after thick black smoke was spotted coming from the Cumberland landfill.

Cumberland Fire Rescue responded to the Bevan Road facility shortly after 6:15 p.m., initially following reports of a possible structure fire.

Crews instead found two piles of shredded mattress material burning, along with a mattress-shredding machine. The fire destroyed the shredding equipment and also damaged an excavator.

Cumberland firefighters were joined by crews from Courtenay and Oyster River, with the response lasting just under four hours. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unclear.

The firefighting response also affected Cumberland’s water system, with some residents reporting brown or discoloured water. Officials say the large amount of water being drawn by crews stirred up turbidity in the system.

The discolouration was related to firefighting demand and not a fire involving the Village’s water infrastructure.

The Comox Valley Waste Management Centre remains open during regular operating hours, with no impact to curbside recycling, compost or garbage collection.

CSWM would like to extend its thanks to Cumberland Fire Rescue, as well as mutual aid who attended from the Oyster River and City of Courtenay fire departments.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place,” said Vivian Schau, Senior Manager of CSWM Services.

“One major piece of equipment was damaged as a result of the fire. We’re very thankful that the fire was detected early, fire fighters responded quickly, and no one was hurt as a result.”

To see the full release, visit Comox Strathcona Waste Management.