FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – After two fires in as many months at the American Steel and Recycling plant in Florence, the Fire Marshal’s office has ordered corrective actions to how the plant operates.
A press release from West Florence Fire Rescue says two fires at the recycling plant – March 21 and May 15 – located at 1401 Pecan Street, were “a result of ignition to fuel tanks cause by metal sparking during the dismantle process.”
Following the initial fire on March 21, the Fire Marshall’s office was working with the facility manager to reduce the size of piles of steel that could potentially catch fire, increase divider aisle width and propose a plan of action for the dismantling process.
The company had implemented ways to reduce pile size and increase aisle width, but plans for dismantling had not been implemented, resulting in the second fire on May 15, according to the press release.
As a result, the Fire Marshal’s office has now ordered corrective actions and the company has 30 days to comply. The release states that the plant manager is cooperating with fire officials and says “all orders for corrective action will be met.”
West Florence Fire Rescue along with Florence City Fire Department, Howe Springs Fire-Rescue and Windy Hill Fire Dept. responded to the call on May 15 and had the fire under control shortly after arriving on scene. Due to the location of the second fire, Duke Energy representatives had to cut power to the area as flames were threatening overhead power lines.
