Billy Collier, chief of the Upper Middlesex (Water View) Volunteer Fire Department, didn’t know what to expect when he was called out for a commercial fire at Middlesex Metals on Sunday about 3:45 a.m.
When Collier arrived he saw flames shooting an estimated 30 feet into the air. “I knew we would need a lot of water,” he said.
One side of a pyramid shaped scrap metal pile was ablaze. He estimated the metal pile was as wide as two houses. Fortunately, winds were calm.
Policy dictates that all four Middlesex County fire departments are called out for “commercial” fires, said Collier.
Collier and a truck from the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department in Urbanna were among the first to arrive. Fighting fires dictates that an incident commander coordinate firefighters and equipment. Collier assumed the commander role and told dispatch to call fire departments from Gloucester, White Stone and Essex to respond with water tankers. All departments worked well together, said Collier.
The Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad also responded and stayed on scene in case firefighters needed care.
“I want to thank all departments that responded,” said Collier. “It was good coordinated efforts from everyone.”
“Aerial”
The closest hydrant was about a half mile west of Urbanna in front of Bethpage Camp Resort, about three miles away, he said. “We never ran out of water.”
Collier called for the Gloucester Volunteer Fire Department that brought its “aerial” ladder truck, which differs from a conventional ladder truck in that it has a platform at the top to accommodate two firefighters who can assess the fire and see what needs to be done. “That really helped things,” said Collier.
Three piles
Collier said the burning pile was next to two similar piles that were not burning. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one pile. No one was injured. No structures were threatened and no equipment was damaged, he added.
Firefighters were helped by two Middlesex Metals employees operating excavators pulling out pieces of metal and debris from the pile. This allowed water to be applied deeper into the pile and the core of the fire. “That really was a big help.”
The cause of the fire is still unknown, said Collier. However, employees had been using cutting torches on Saturday to cut up large pieces, said Collier.
Firefighters stayed on scene until 7:30 a.m.
