The Chillicothe Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire at Grand River Metals in Utica Wednesday afternoon, which developed into a multi-department effort to extinguish a wind-driven major blaze as it spread through a scrap yard.
The department dispatched engine one and tanker one to 8112 LIV 410 in Utica at 3:49 p.m.
Heavy black smoke was visible from the highway as fire personnel approached. Upon arrival, it was discovered the vehicle fire had already spread to the scrap waste adjacent to the vehicle.
Chillicothe Fire Department then requested mutual aid from Mooresville, Utica, Wheeling, Chula, Meadville and Shoal Creek Fire Protection District.
Personnel of the scrap metal yard used their heavy equipment to spread the piles of fire out, while crews used multiple handlines and deck guns to extinguish many spread out fires.
After approximately one hour, the fires were extinguished. Approximately 20,000 gallons of water was used to extinguish the fire. The owner of the scrap yard stated the fire started in the crusher and quickly spread due to the high winds on Wednesday. It was unknown what ignited the blaze. There were no injuries or damage outside the confines of the scrap yard.
