Overnight Fire Hits Schnitzer Scrap Yard in Worcester

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Firefighters battled an overnight fire at a steel recycling company off Southwest Cutoff.

Heavy smoke and flames filled the scrap yard of Schnitzer Northeast, 20 Nippnapp Trail. Firefighters from Worcester and Millbury were on scene. There are no reported injuries from the incident.

The fire broke out Tuesday evening, with crews remaining on scene Wednesday morning. With firefighters on scene, cranes were used to move material in the metal piles.

A state Department of Environmental Protection emergency responder arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. Wednesday to inspect the area.

Earlier Wednesday morning, a hydraulic line failed on one of the cranes, resulting in a release of approximately 15 gallons of hydraulic oil to the ground, according to the DEP. The oil spread along with the firefighting runoff water to a retention basin, according to DEP.  

Schnitzer Northeast hired Cyn Environmental Services Inc. and Higgins Environmental Associates helped with cleanup, according to the company.

In a statement, Schnitzer Steel's Oregon-based corporate office said the company is grateful to the first responders for bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.

At one point Wednesday morning, a truck from R.E. Cluett Inc. of Ware arrived at the center with recyclable steel but was told the center was closed and was turned away.