Fire official: Scrap metal fires continue at auto shredder

NEW CARLISLE, Ind. (AP) - A northern Indiana fire chief says an auto shredding business that's experienced several scrap metal fires hasn't made good on its pledge to make the operation safer.

New Carlisle Fire Chief Josh Schweitzer says SMS Shredding promised after a big June 2017 fire to take steps to make the site safer.

But Schweitzer tells the South Bend Tribune that hasn't happened and the fires since then reflect "a very consistent pattern of what's on fire and where."

He says that includes a January fire during which a firefighter fell and was injured.

Schweitzer says he plans to arrange for an inspection by the State Fire Marshal's office.

SMS Shredding said in a statement that it's taken numerous precautions since the 2017 fire, including reducing the size of its scrap piles.

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Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com