LA Scrap Yard Forbidden From Disposing Of Military Ordnance

The county has forbidden a scrap yard from disposing of military ordnance following a December explosion that sent a hunk of metal onto neighboring David Starr Jordan High School.

Atlas Iron and Metal is no longer allowed to accept any materials that could pose a threat to the students next door, and no work can be done within 50 feet of school property, County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke said.

The incident occurred while a worker was torching old military shells to turn them into recyclable metal. One of the shells detonated, hurtling chunks of metal 2,000 feet into the air.

No one was injured but hundreds of students were forced to abandon the school for two days.

After the explosion, the company swore off contracts for disposing old artillery and mortar shells. But it was shut down after county officials discovered its land-use permit had expired.

Under a temporary agreement with the county, the company has been allowed to reopen as long as it operates under the new safety restrictions.

The county's Regional Planning Commission must still decide whether to issue a new permit to the business. Associated Press