VIDEO: Fire at Scrap Disposal Site on Allens Avenue in Providence UPDATED

VIDEO: Fire at Scrap Disposal Site on Allens Avenue in Providence UPDATED

A scrap junk disposal site on Allens Avenue caught fire at approximately 9:30 AM Tuesday morning. 

The site, littered with scrap metal, appliances, and other discarded metal and trash, has been an eyesore on the waterfront for the past few years. 

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The Providence Fire Department responded within minutes and had the fire under control before 10 AM.

The incident is sure to raise more concerns about the environmental impact of the waste sites located on Allens Avenue.

DEM on Incident 

"At around 9:30 AM, the rubber coating of the remnants of a submarine ignited [at Rhode Island Recycled Metals] while workers were working on it," said Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management spokesperson Mike Healey. "Since entering a consent order with DEM in June 2019, Rhode Island Recycled Metals LLC (RIRM) has been dismantling the sub. At one time it had sunk in the Providence River along with other vessels owned by RIRM."

"Our hazmat specialist who inspected the scene said that while workers were cutting the sub (they use blow torches), a spark ignited the rubber coating. It spread quickly and burnt a section about 10 feet by 10 feet in size. Like a tire fire, it caused a lot of black smoke. The Providence Fire Department responded quickly. They put it out with water and did not have to use firefighting foam. That’s a plus because firefighting foam includes chemicals than can contaminate the environment," said Healey.

"DEM requires the company to contain the shoreline area with hard boom. There was a silver film on the water captured by the boom. Obviously, lots of smoke but we’re relieved that no one was hurt and there was apparently minimal impact on the waterway," he added.

Updated Tuesday 1:17 PM

Original article posted Tuesday 10:28 AM