Yesterday afternoon, operations were halted at Portage la Prairie and District Recycling when a fire broke out inside the building.

It was in the southeast corner, in the newer addition. All staff got out safely, and Executive Director James Bolton says the cause hasn't been determined.

"It did start in a bunker, full of cardboard, and from there the blaze spread into some other bunkers containing all of our recycling material, and there's extensive damage to our sort line, as well as some rafters, and the east side of the wall, there's some damage there as well."

PDRI Executive Director James Bolton - notice the blank computer monitor - power was still off this morning

Bolton doesn't have a damage estimate yet.

"I'm hoping to be in touch with the adjustor today, but there is extensive heat damage and water damage. Talking with the different associations with the fire department, we figure that it's going to be close to half a million dollars."

Bolton says there's no timeline yet for repairs.

"Right now, we're hoping we can get a lot of questions answered when the insurance adjustor comes. From there, hopefully we can have a some kind of a timeline in terms of when we can be operational the way we were. But at this point, everything is just a guessing game."

Bolton points out PDRI will continue operations in the face of the damage, and thinks customers won't see any serious disruptions.

He's grateful none of the staff was injured, and credits the thorough work done by the Portage Fire Department, who were on-scene until 10 p.m.

Here are pictures of the damage.