Columbus, Georgia – Last September, an explosion at the Radius Recycling metal scrap yard sent shockwaves through downtown Columbus. The incident, which had been brewing for months, resulted in a massive fire and plumes of black smoke laden with heavy metals billowing into the night sky.
An investigative report obtained by the Ledger-Enquirer revealed that the fire department had been alerted earlier in the day by yard foreman Kevin Freeman about the smoldering metal piles. Freeman informed lead fire investigator David Smith that the aluminum and steel mixture had been smoldering since December 2022.
Despite a visit from fire personnel, who found nothing amiss, the situation escalated later in the day. Surveillance footage captured the moment when the smoldering pile suddenly burst into flames, leading to an explosion.
According to Smith’s report, the fire was deemed accidental, a result of a rapid oxidation process caused by the combination of steel and aluminum shavings. This process, known as Thermite, created a hazardous condition that culminated in the explosion.
After the incident, questions lingered about why the hazardous situation had not been detected earlier and why the metal mixture had been allowed to smolder for months. Both Freeman and Radius Recycling’s Public Affairs Officer, Eric Potashner, refrained from commenting on the matter.
In response to the incident, Columbus Fire met with Radius Recycling to implement new fire mitigation techniques. However, further details about the specific actions to prevent such incidents remained undisclosed.
The large fire necessitated the use of AFFF, a fire suppression foam containing forever chemicals known as PFAS. These toxic substances pose significant environmental and health risks, including the potential to cause cancer, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the incident.
Radius Recycling, a company operating metal recycling, auto parts shredding, and steel manufacturing, has a history of incidents resulting in pollution. Recently, the company faced legal action from environmental watchdogs for violations of the Clean Water Act, underscoring the broader environmental concerns associated with its operations.
Despite the challenges posed by the fire, Radius Recycling emphasized its commitment to operating in compliance with best practices and applicable regulations. The company underscored its cooperation with authorities during the investigation and its ongoing efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.