Northern Metals Fire In Becker: National Guard Called In

BECKER, MN — Fire crews have been working nonstop throughout the night continuing to fight the fire at the Northern Metals Recycling Plant in Becker, which began early Tuesday morning. Temperatures dipped below zero overnight, and still remain in the single digits.

The city has called in the 55th Civil Support Team of the National Guard for help.

Authorities released the following updates on the battle:

• 15 fire departments assisted from 6 p.m.- Midnight Tuesday
• 18 fire departments assisted from Midnight - 6 a.m. Wednesday morning
• Water quality testing was completed on site
• 4 filling sites for fire trucks were used to support water needs
• The Minnesota Fire Chief’s Assistance and Support team and the Minnesota All-Hazards Incident Management team are also assisting.

On Feb. 18 just before 2:30 a.m., a passerby reported that a fire had broken out at the Northern Metals Recycling Plant.

The fire started in a pile of crushed vehicles on the Northern Metals facilities lot, according to a news release. Damage from the blaze is confined to an area for crushed cars, authorities said.

Odor from the blaze drifted into the Twin Cities Tuesday.

Becker Public Schools will continue to remain in session despite the fire and smoke. School officials are monitoring air quality and decisions will be made based on wind direction, indoor air, and recommendations from city and county leaders.

"The safety of our children is our primary concern and the school district does not expect any of our children to be in danger within our current conditions," the district said in a statement late Tuesday.

"We believe that students are in a safe air environment when they are in school. Our systems use filtered air and we have the capability to increase or decrease outside air, while many homes may not have this ability," added Superintendent Jeremy Schmidt.