Fire breaks out at Westport scrapyard
Plumes of smoke visible from East Briggs road. Photo by Kat Sheridan
Plumes of smoke visible from East Briggs road. Photo by Kat Sheridan
WESTPORT — A large fire broke out in Westport at the Mid City Scrap on Monday, May 4 around 4 p.m. The company confirmed that all workers are uninjured.
As of 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, Route 6 from Route 88 to Gifford Road was still closed in both directions. There is no set end time, and Westport Police urge drivers to seek alternate routes.
The cause is currently unknown. As of 12:30 a.m. on May 5, the fire was still burning.
Residents from Davis Road to Old Bedford Road are advised to shelter in place, close all windows and turn off any air conditioning units due to the toxic nature of the smoke.
The Westport Police had no information on whether Dartmouth residents are at risk from the smoke.
The large plume of smoke was evident all the way to Lakeville and Middleboro, with residents online commenting on the smell.
The Department of Environmental Protections was on site to provide aid and conduct air quality tests, and the Massachusetts Department will continue to monitor the area.
There was an elevated fire risk on May 4 due to high wind speeds, low humidity and low levels of rainfall.
Mid City Scrap states they take both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, as well as fibers and waste paper from companies around New England.
