Recycling is touted to be good for the environment.
Furthermore, California has a plethora of air quality regulations that constrain businesses and are promoted as necessary for public health.
Well, both public health and the environment are being affected by a large commercial fire at a scrap metal recycling yard/metal shop in South El Monte, California. The blaze involves recycled metals, including titanium, and multiple propane tanks. Explosions have been reported.
Thick black smoke billows from a South El Monte recycling plant as Los Angeles County Fire Department crews are attempting to control the flames consuming the large building complex.Aerial footage shows barrels and bins stacked around the complex in the 2200 block of N. Tyler Avenue as multiple fire hoses stream water onto the blaze, a 3rd alarm fire.
The plume of smoke emanating from the facility, P&T Metals recycling center, was visible for miles. Over 100 firefighters responded to the incident and a shelter-in-place order was issued for the public.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for people living and working nearby as crews monitor air and water runoff conditions….Video shows a massive plume of black smoke rising into the air in the neighborhood. The smoke was visible for miles.The roof of the building was caving in due to the damage, and it appeared the building was a complete loss.Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters are at the scene, working to extinguish the flames. Firefighters first arrived at approximately 2:31 p.m.By 4 p.m., fewer flames were visible, but AIR7 watched as several explosions went off near the center of the building. The explosions sent even more smoke and sparks into the air.
Titanium is a potentially combustible metal that is unusually difficult to extinguish once ignited, especially in chip, turnings, or powder form. One of the challenges in dealing with a titanium fire of this size is that water is generally not recommended as an extinguishing agent, because of the potential for reactivity. Yet water may be the only option when dealing with massive fires.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the blaze is currently unknown.
Hopefully, the intense fire at the P&T Metals recycling facility is brought under control swiftly and remains extinguished. As noted in a story about lithium battery fires, those involving metals can readily reignite.
Additionally, here’s hoping all first responders and nearby residents remain safe from both short-term and long-term effects from the chemicals in the smoke.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex hazards that can arise even in industries championed for their environmental contributions. As investigators determine the cause, focus needs to be on what can be done to prevent such fires and the development of better tools to extinguish blazes involving reactive metals.
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