A small fire was reported at the Aviation Centre of Excellence.

It was Friday afternoon when a DC-9 aircraft was being deconstructed and its debris caught fire and a tire on the landing gear ruptured.

GFL had been contracted to deconstruct the plane when the fire emerged.

Airport Authority first responders arrived quickly on the scene and extinguished the small fire, Thunder Bay Fire arrived shortly afterwards as in case of needed support.

The small fire was quickly extinguished with no injuries or property damage to the college or GFL.

The plane was originally donated to the Confederation College in 2003 as a teaching aid for maintenance, flight management, and travel and tourism.

The aircraft wasn’t certified or used for flight during its lifespan at the Centre.