Chattanooga crews battle blaze at metal recycling plant
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Investigators with the Chattanooga Fire Department are working to see what sparked a blaze at a downtown recycling plant.
Crews said they were called out to PSC Metals on West 19th Street just before 9 am. on Tuesday.
Officials said Chattanooga police came in to help guard the hoses, and EMS crews were there in case anyone needed medical attention.
Fortunately, they were not needed.
“Fire crews got fire out by 9:21. No one was injured. Everybody at PSC Metals was accounted for. No injuries to the employees at PSC Metals,” Assistant Fire Marshal Chuck Hartung said.
But that doesn't mean there wasn't any danger.
“Everybody had to be evacuated to an area of refuge so fire crews could take care of the fire,” hartung said.
Hartung said the storage container was a tool trailer, but it was what could have been inside of it that fanned the flames.
“Might have had some aerosol, some spray paint cans they may have helped feed that fire, make it a little more intense, but firefighters were able to contain it just to that 40-foot tool trailer,” Hartung said.
Hartung said his crews reacted quickly and decisively.
“Excellent work by our fire department. Excellent work by our crews to get that fire under control and to get on scene in a timely manner and take care of the emergency that brought them here,” Hartung said.
A spokesperson for PSC Metals said they have fans blowing to deal with the leftover smoke, and were able to continue operations like a normal day.
