Topsham, Maine scrap metal plant fire under investigation

By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

June 15, 2016 07:53:45 AM

AUBURN (Scrap Monster): State Fire Marshal’s Office has begun investigation into the massive fire incident at Grimmel’s Industries in 80 Pejepscot Village Main St., off River Road near the Androscoggin River. Reports indicate that Topsham fire officials met with investigators from Fire Marshal’s office in a bid to determine the cause of the fire at the scrap metal facility. Investigators stated that the cause of the fire is still unknown, but it is not considered suspicious.

The fire broke out at the facility just before 6 PM Monday. Firefighters from almost 10 Maine towns from Sabattus to Wiscasset to North Yarmouth attended to the fire. As per sources, much of the town was covered with smoke. The three fire hydrants in the scrapyard were found broken. This delayed firefighting operations. One fire truck was supplied water from Androscoggin River through the yard’s only access to the water source. The rest of the water had to be transported from two hydrant locations on Route 196 and Ivanhoe Drive. Tankers had to constantly shuttle water to the scene from these sources. Despite this, the crews had run out of water on several occasions.

According to Topsham Fire Chief Brian Stockdale, the fire could have been easily brought under control had the hydrants been working. Despite that, firefighters did a commendable job by keeping the flames away from the conveyor belts. Also, the fire caused no damage to buildings. No injuries were reported either.

Firefighters remained on the scene late into the night. The scene was cleared shortly before 3 AM Tuesday. The Fire Chief noted that the company’s equipment with long arms and a claw-like structure at one end helped them a lot in picking and sorting through the debris. According to him, firefighters have already isolated the ignited area of the pile of flattened cars and tires. He also praised company employees for joining hands with their efforts by using heavy equipment to spread out metal piles in order to prevent fire from spreading.

This is not the first fire incident at the scrap metal facility. Earlier in 1995, a massive fire at the facility had caused damage of more than $1 million. Another 3-alarm fire in July 2004 had damaged several buildings. A four-alarm fire had caused significant losses at the scrap metal plant in September 2009. Also, the facility was hit by a two-alarm blaze that involved scrap metal stored in a rail car in July 2013.

Concerned over repeated fire incidents at the site, neighboring residents have demanded that DEP and EPA authorities need to inspect the facility more often. There have been allegations about discharge of pollutants into nearby Piscataqua river. The EPA authorities had sought civil penalties of more than $500,000 from Grimmel Industries on charges of discharging process water into river and allowing pollutants including PCBs and mercury to leach into the river through storm drains. The EPA had alleged that the company had failed to provide adequate information pertaining to its process water and storm water management.

Established in 1973, Grimmel’s Industries is a privately held company dealing in scrap metals. It has two locations in Maine-one in Lewiston and the other in Topsham.