Trending Topics

Ore. firefighters battle 4-alarm metal pile fire

Approximately 100 Portland firefighters responded to a fire involving a large pile of scrap metal at a recycling plant

By David Nuñez
oregonlive.com

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland firefighters responded Wednesday afternoon to a scrap fire at a metal recycler in North Portland that sent up a plume of dark smoke visible for miles over the city.

The four-alarm fire started at Radius Recycling in a large pile of mixed metals that included crushed cars and appliances headed for an industrial shredder, Portland Fire & Rescue officials said.

Workers broke up the mound into smaller piles to make the fire easier to control, said fire spokesperson Rick Graves.

“We are reducing the size of the pile, so there is less fuel,” Graves said. “As the claw moves the metal, we are also hitting it with water.”

No one was injured and no buildings were damaged, Graves said.

The fire began about 1 p.m. and was under control within four hours, fire officials said.

About 100 firefighters responded as crews used extended ladders fitted with hoses, machinery to move the debris and boats supplying water from the Willamette River to extinguish the fire, Graves said.

The cause remains under investigation.

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit oregonlive.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending
A Mini Cooper collided with a CAL FIRE rig, killing the driver and a 10-year-old passenger and injuring three firefighters
A St. Paul aviation engineering firm has created a new float system designed to help firefighting pilots safely scoop water
About 150 Greensboro firefighters packed City Council chambers to support a special separation allowance they say would help recruitment, retention and long-term competitiveness
Worcester will begin construction on a new South Division firehouse, replacing the current facility that has served firefighters since 1959