Full Containment Expected in North Carolina Recycling Plant Fire

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Rocky Mount Fire Department continues its work to contain a massive fire at a recycling plant Thursday morning. The center is a metal recycling plant taking automotive and other kinds of scrap metal.

The fire was reported at 816 South Halifax Road on Wednesday evening at 10:55 p.m. The first arriving unit found a large pile of recycled debris on fire.

The blaze continued through much of Thursday. Black and gray smoke could be seen from a distance.

Rocky Mount Fire Chief Darvin Moore told reporters Thursday morning that the fire was called in by employees of the recycling plant.

Moore said there were no concerns of toxins potentially impacting the surrounding community. Nash County Emergency Management, North Carolina Forestry Service, and NC Department of Environmental Quality were at the plant assisting with containment and monitoring the situation. Bailey Fire Department also requested for assistance.

The fire department reported the fire was about 75% contained by noon. As of 3:45 p.m., the fire is 85% contained. It is expected to be fully contained by the end of the day. Moore said his department has responded at least one fire at the plant in the past.

“We have been here in the past before and this is, I don’t want to say normal operations for this facility here, but we are fully aware how to extinguish this fire,” Moore said.

It is unknown how the fire started. No injuries have been reported.

Courtesy: www.msn.com