Mayor Smiley urges action after scrap yard fire

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s office issued a statement after the April 11 fire at the scrap yard on Allens Avenue.

The company that owns the yard, Rhode Island Recycled Metals, has had several issues with the city in the past, and the mayor’s office issued a cease and desist order on March 8.

Spokesperson Josh Estrella said that the cease and desist was issued because the company had withdrawn its application for a necessary license with the city and was operating without a license.

He added that the mayor also asked Providence Superior Court to order a stop on operations at the scrap yard while the case is pending, which the court denied on Friday.

“[Thursday’s] fire further underscores the importance of the city’s request to the Superior Court to cease all operations on this facility while this case is pending,” Estrella said. “It is critical for the safety and public health of our neighbors that operations are ceased until this facility obtains all necessary licenses and that our colleagues at the state hold them accountable for the multiple matters that are squarely within their jurisdiction.”

Mayor Smiley also issued the following statement on the court decision to not stop operations at the scrap yard:

We are disappointed in today’s decision. Rhode Island Recycled Metals’ continued operation without a proper license poses a critical safety and public health risk for all of our neighbors in this area. We will continue to press our case in Superior Court and ask the state to hold them accountable to improve this situation for our community.