Fire erupts at Newell’s East Point, Georgia, yard

The Newell Recycling yard at 1359 Central Ave. in East Point, Georgia, was the site of a large fire the morning of Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. The facility is located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

According to a report from Channel 2 Action News, East Point Fire officials said no one was injured in the four-alarm fire, which started near the shredder, deep inside a pile of debris that was piled 30 feet high.

Despite the fire station being only a few hundred yards from the scrap yard, officials said the fire was stubborn, Channel 2 Action News reports.

“It is a full alarm; East Point has two engines and a ladder, and we have mutual aid from Atlanta Fire,” the report quotes fire officials as saying. “They just sent two of their striker units, 7 and 8, which are assisting us by putting water and foam on the fire. College Park is also here with an engine, and so is Hapeville.”

Some neighbors wondered if one of the scrapped cars was the source of the fire, according to Channel 2 Action News. However, Renita Shelton with the East Point Fire Department is quoted as saying, "There should be no gasoline in those vehicles. We're not sure how it got started. That will have to be investigated.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was called to the scene to ensure there is no lasting damage, the report notes.