The State of Minnesota has now shut down a Becker recycling plant that was the site of a huge fire that burned for more than two days....and required more than 100 fire crews working in shifts to control.
The fire is out, and crews worked over the weekend at Northern Metal Recycling, making sure hot spots didn't flare up.
The order calls the fire "an imminent and substantial danger to the health and welfare of the public."
Northern Metal Chief Operating Officer Scott Helberg issued a statement on Friday:
State Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton), whose district includes Becker, called the state order irresponsible and an overreation.
“Northern Metal is fully cooperating with the state fire investigation, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and their local public health officials,” said Mathews in a statement. "Businesses that require permitting should be allowed to immediately begin or resume operations once health and safety standards are assured and permit expectations are met.”
In its order, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency prohibits Northern Metal from accepting any more junked vehicles at both its Becker plant, and its former location in north Minneapolis where it's still storing some vehicles.
The plant was relocated to Becker last year after pollution issues prompted Minneapolis officials to order Northern Metal out.
A Helberg pointed out, the Becker facility was not yet operational when the fire began.
Gov. Walz, speaking during a forum at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute, was blunt about the owners of the facility.
"I have to be very careful as governor, because they will sue me," he said. "But I do not trust this entity to do the right thing."
Walz explained some of the work that he's been told about that goes on inside the facility.
"They stack these things 90-foot high and a hundred yards long with no firebreaks between them, as they're supposed to have," he said.
The fire started mid-week among a large stack of junk cars and raged for several days before crews were able to bring the flames under control.
Fumes from the fire led to air-quality concerns, with administrators canceling classes in the Becker school district for one day. Tests by the MPCA showed little problem with the air quality, but officials say futher tests could reveal some level of pollution.
No one was hurt in the fire, and no buildings at the facility were damaged.