Emergency response teams from Travis County have been grappling with a substantial fire at a metal recycling facility in northeast Austin since Wednesday afternoon. The blaze at the Austin Metal & Iron Co. has prompted an extensive firefighting effort involving multiple agencies, including Travis County Emergency Services Districts No. 2 and No. 12, as well as support from Austin-Travis County EMS. Reporting on the incident, KVUE noted that the fire began around 2:16 p.m. near the 10200 block of Decker Lane, close to several industrial complexes.
The response by the firefighters is ongoing into the night, with officials from Travis County ESD No. 12 admitting to KVUE around 4:30 p.m. that they were unsure of how much longer crews would be on the scene, with several fires to be put out. Austin Energy has been closely monitoring the situation, stating that despite the proximity, the fire has not impacted operations at the Decker Creek Power Plant.
Social media has been flooded with images and videos showing thick black smoke billowing from the site, drawing attention to the scale of the incident. Affirming the severity, crews initially posted on Facebook around 3:20 p.m. their ongoing efforts to contain the large trash fire. While the sight of the plume might signal alarm, the Manor Police Department reassured the public via Facebook, as mentioned by CBS Austin, that "there is no threat to the public due to this fire."
Concerns regarding air quality given the volume of smoke have been addressed by the involvement of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which is currently monitoring the situation along with Austin emergency crews. According to the Manor Police Department's Facebook post covered by CBS Austin, the police department's Manor Emergency Management Coordinator is in contact with these teams to ensure continued public safety. No injuries have been reported in connection with the fire at this time.
As fire crews work tirelessly into the night, the full extent of the damage and the cause of the fire remains to be assessed once the flames are fully extinguished. Residents are advised to stay informed on the progress of the firefighting operations and any potential advisories regarding air quality or safety precautions.
