Fire damages structure, machinery at Merced recycling facility, fire officials say

A fire damaged a Merced recycling business Saturday night, according to fire officials.

Firefighters responded to A & S Metals Recycling Center, 2901 Highway 59, about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Merced City Fire Battalion Chief Mickey Brunelli.

Brunelli said the call initially came in as a grass fire, but the first units reported heavy smoke and flames coming from recycled materials, including bales of cardboard and electronics under an open structure with a metal roof.

Four fire engines, one ladder truck and a battalion chief responded, he said, and there was significant damage to the structure. Brunelli said the roof began to collapse as firefighters worked to control the blaze.

Crews attacked from the perimeter, according to Brunelli, and had difficulty getting to the burning materials. Staff at the business aided firefighters by using heavy machinery to reach in and pull out some of those materials.

Fire personnel were on scene for just under five hours, Brunelli said, and no injuries were reported.

Damage was estimated at $500,000, according to fire officials, with the cause under investigation.

Firefighters responded to the location again Sunday afternoon, Brunelli said, after a passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the building. According to fire officials, it was caused by smoldering bales of compressed cardboard that were extinguished.