Friday, Jul. 03, 2009

Fire destroys Edwardsville recycling building

EDWARDSVILLE - Fire destroyed a recycling facility outside Edwardsville Friday afternoon.

Workers at CKS Metal Corp. in the 5500 block of Old Alton Road were cutting metal with an acetylene torch when the heat set fire to other materials at about 1:30 p.m., according to acting Fire Capt. Bob Morgan.

"By the time we got there it had taken hold of the building," Morgan said.

The building, which Morgan described as a pole barn - wood frame with metal sides - was primarily used for storing metal recyclables. Workers hauled out whatever they could, including moving some compressed gas cylinders away from the building.

Just in case, Morgan said, they called the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to monitor for any possible hazardous materials. But there was no oil or flammable liquid found, he said.

The Edwardsville Fire Department was assisted by Glen Carbon, Holiday Shores, Wood River, Roxana, South Roxana and Mitchell fire departments. Highland and Collinsville firefighters covered the station during the 2.5 hours they worked.

As the area had no hydrants, it required six water haulers and a portable tank to keep enough water at the site. Toward the end, they tore down the building with a backhoe to get at the hot spots, Morgan said.

No one was injured in the fire, though one firefighter did injure a knee. There is at least one house nearby, but it was not in danger, Morgan said.