Joliet firefighters battle fire at scrap metal recycling yard

The massive smoke billowing from a fire on Friday afternoon at BL Duke Scrap Metal Recycling Yard in Joliet could be seen for miles.

But the fire posed no danger to residents and no one was injured, said Joliet Fire Battalion Chief Victor Stachelski, who was with other firefighters at BL Duke Scrap Metal Recycling Yard, 2 Genstar Lane, Joliet.

The location is in an industrial area just east of Broadway Street and west of the Des Plaines River.

Stachelski said the fire was coming from a “pile of rubbish.”

“It’s a mixture of different things. I don’t know exactly everything. I know there’s some metal in it, some wood products. Nothing hazardous. It’s a rather large pile,” Stachelski said.

Stachelski said he had no idea as to how the fire started and he considered the chances of figuring that out as “very slim.” He said the fire could’ve been ignited from a “hot piece of equipment.”

“Or maybe they put something into the pile they didn’t realize was hot at the time,” Stachelski said.

Stachelski said the biggest problem for firefighters was the limited sources of water in the industrial area. He said other fire departments were contacted to supply water tankers to the scene.

Joliet firefighters were working with Lockport Township Fire Protection District to battle the fire.

In a statement, Lockport Deputy Fire Chief James Grady said the property is “used for recycling materials, and that is the bulk of the fire load.”

“No buildings were involved. Workers were on scene during the incident and there are no injuries reported,” Grady said.

Earlier this week, Joliet fire officials said that the National Weather Service has issued a warning that weather conditions are “favorable for rapid and severe fire spread due to high winds and low humidity.”

“We urge you to postpone any outdoor burning. Conditions will be similar in the next few days,” Joliet fire officials said.