Waukesha scrap metal fire leads to road closures

WAUKESHA, Wis. - A scrap metal fire Sunday evening, July 4 created a large amount of thick, black smoke and led to road closures in Waukesha.

Police and firefighters responded to Waukesha Iron and Metal on Main Street and said the fire was contained to a scrap pile. No employees were on-site at the time, as the business had been closed since Friday. Police said staff arrived and assisted in extinguishing the fire, using large excavators to spread the pile out. It was under control a little over three hours after firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

Damage was limited to the waste pile.

In an update Tuesday, July 6, Waukesha police said fire department administration and the Fire Marshal met with the owner and staff " to review their operations to determine the cause of these recent increase in fires associated with their operations." Police said a plan was created "to develop alternative practices and changes in their operations to see how different engineering controls can limit the occurrences from happening," with future plans to meet with company representatives on a regular basis in order to "best ensure safe business operations and community safety."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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