Fire Department

Fire caused an estimated $30,000 worth of damage at a metal recycling facility after a flammable liquid (likely gasoline) passed through an automobile shredder and its vapors were ignited by a mechanical spark.

The Madison Fire Department responded to Alter Metal Recycling on the 4400 block of Sycamore Avenue for a report of a fire near the vehicle shredder. Passersby on East Washington Avenue further reported a large plume of black smoke in the area.

Engine Co. 8 and Ladder Co. 8 arrived first to find flames engulfing a large metal compactor situated at the top of a large industrial conveyor belt. The fire was located several hundred yards into the property and a great distance from the nearest hydrant on Sycamore Avenue. Engine Co. 5 connected to the hydrant and then relayed a connection to Ladder 8 in daisy-chain fashion. Ladder Co. 8 put forth an aggressive fire attack from above using its 100-foot aerial platform. Alter Metal Recycling staff supplied an end loader to move debris to allow for a thorough overhaul of the items that had been on fire.

The MFD Fire Investigation Team was called in to determine the cause. The fire is considered accidental. Nobody was injured. Sycamore Avenue reopened around 3:10 p.m.