UPDATE: Fire crews battling asphalt tanker blaze

Deputy chief for communications and operations for Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Christian Schmidt says excellent progress has been made in suppressing a fire that prompted road closures and evacuations in the Transcona area.

The fire broke out this morning at Pounder Emulsions at Saunders Street and Gunn Road. The fire is in the RM of Springfield but Winnipeg fire paramedic crews were called in to assist just after 10 this morning. Schmidt says a number of partner agencies are assisting. Visual assistance was provided by the Winnipeg Police Air1 helicopter. Foam vehicles were brought in from the Winnipeg airport and 17 Wing Winnipeg; Schmidt says foam was necessary because of how water reacts with the chemicals involved in the fire.

Schmidt says at the scene there are approximately six large tanks of liquified asphalt and diesel oil, with a total capacity of about 4-million litres. He says the risk of an explosion at this point is very minimal.

"The fire has been knocked down, and we can tell even by the smoke conditions in the area -- we were, you know, a couple hours ago, dealing with some very thick, black smoke and that has since subsided to very light grey and white smoke," said Schmidt around 1:45 this afternoon.

Schmidt says crews are still suppressing the fire, tending to hotspots and checking the area to see if the fire has spread at all.

No information is known at this point about what caused the fire.

Some people have been evacuated from the area, including students of Harold Hatcher Elementary School; they were taken to Bernie Wolfe Community School.

Schmidt says outside of an 800 metre safety zone, the only immediate need for evacuation was to the southeast -- an area that Schmidt says isn't largely populated and is mostly businesses. The 800 metre zone, according to Schmidt, is "essentially an explosive zone."

Schmidt says there will likely be an update on evacuations and air quality shortly after he returns to the command post.

No injuries have been reported.

The City of Winnipeg is advising people with breathing issues to stay indoors, and keep doors and windows closed.