DEM to inspect soil samples from Rhode Island Recycled Metals in wake of recent fire

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) inspected Rhode Island Recycled Metals on April 11 and concluded that soil testing of the site would need to be conducted in connection with the fire that occurred on the property on the same date.

According to the DEM, representatives from DEM arrived at the property and were joined by facility contact Jason Champagne to inspect for hazardous waste, used oil and to determine if any contaminants migrated to the Providence River.

Inspectors observed the area in which the April 11 fire occurred and saw a ten foot high burnt scrap pile and a smaller pile of burnt scrap nearby.

Champagne stated the smaller pile was the result of using machinery to access the fire in the main pile.

Several water ponding areas were observed to have oil sheening and several areas had oil staining on the ground.

The runoff streams to the Providence River showed no signs of oil or oil sheen and a hard boom was installed to prevent contaminants from entering the river.

The DEM sent a letter to an attorney representing Rhode Island Recycled Metals on April 22 stating that additional site soil sampling was required.

The letter reads in part:

After careful review of the Focused Compliance Inspection Report, the Department will require additional site soil sampling within the entire area of the fire and any areas affected by water runoff from the fire fighting. Inspectors reported observing numerous areas where visible oil and oil staining was present.

The letter also stated that the sampling plan must be submitted to DEM by May 8.

Rhode Island Recycled Metals says they believe arson to be the cause of the April 11 fire.