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Trash compactor catches fire at Summerside Walmart

Summerside firefighters spray water into the trash compactor at Wal-Mart on Nov. 18. The fire was contained inside the unit by the store's sprinkler system. Crews couldn't get in to the unit to tackle the cause, so Superior Sanitation staff opened the container onto the pavement a safe distance away. Firefighters extinguished the smouldering debris in the parking lot. The store was evacuated as a precaution. Store sprinklers were soaking the inside of the machine. Customers were allowed back inside around 4:15 p.m.
- Alison Jenkins

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SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Summerside firefighters were on the scene of a fire inside a trash compactor at the Wal-Mart store on Granville Street Monday afternoon. 

Fire crews couldn't get in to the unit to tackle the cause, so Superior Sanitation staff opened the container onto the pavement a safe distance away.

Firefighters extinguished the smouldering debris in the parking lot. 

The store was evacuated as a precaution, but Chief Clay Moase said there was little risk of the fire spreading as it was contained to the outside unit. 

Store sprinklers were soaking the inside of the machine.

"It's a really well-designed unit," said Moase.

Customers were allowed back inside around 4:15 p.m.

Summerside firefighters spray down trash that caught fire inside the trash compactor at Wal-Mart on Nov. 18.
Summerside firefighters spray down trash that caught fire inside the trash compactor at Wal-Mart on Nov. 18.
Summerside firefighters try to get inside the trash compactor at Wal-Mart after debris inside the unit caught fire. Superior Sanitation staff arrived and helped the crews get to the source of the smouldering garbage on Nov. 18. - Alison Jenkins
Summerside firefighters try to get inside the trash compactor at Wal-Mart after debris inside the unit caught fire. Superior Sanitation staff arrived and helped the crews get to the source of the smouldering garbage on Nov. 18. - Alison Jenkins

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