Photo courtesy of PF&R.
On Wednesday, July 16, just after 1 pm, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a scrap metal fire at Radius Recycling, formerly Schnitzer Steel. A large heap consisting of smashed cars, appliances, and other large metal objects caught fire and was eventually raised to a 4th alarm assignment with engines, trucks, fireboats, and 100 personnel from all over the city. Four hours after the first alarm was sent, the command officer considered the situation under control. There were no reported injuries to responders or plant personnel.
The location of this incident was north of the St. Johns Bridge near the Willamette River. Two different fire boats were called to the location and acted as pumping vessels by pulling water directly from the river into large diameter hoses to aid in the water supply needed to suppress the fire.
Photo courtesy of Portland Fire & Rescue.
Plant personnel assisted in reducing the size of the fuel pile by using large articulating claws to reach into the pile, pull out a full load and deposit it away from the burning material. To prevent fire spread, crews used handheld nozzles and directed the stream at each claw load to prevent this new material from igniting the ever-growing spoil piles as the material was being relocated.
All water used in this incident was captured by the on-site water collection system which will capture the water, strain out the particulates, and run it through the onsite purification process reducing the concerns of contaminated run-off entering the watershed. PF&R recommends that if you are within the downwind pathway of smoke that you close your windows and shelter in place to reduce the harmful effects on your respiratory system.
The companies on scene 6 hours after this incident started were replaced by fire watch crews that planned to be at the site until midnight and continued until the fire was completely extinguished
Photo courtesy of PF&R.
By Portland Fire & Rescue