TOPSHAM

Multiple agencies responded to Grimmel Industries in Topsham shortly after 6 p.m. Monday evening after a debris fire was reported at the scrap metal yard.

The metal recycling plant has been the site of several fires over the years. Topsham Fire Chief Brian Stockdale said when firefighters arrived there was approximately an acre or 200-by-200-foot area fully engulfed with flames.

He said there are at least three fire hydrants on the property and none were working Monday.
Water supply was a major challenge, particularly before area fire trucks arrived from other towns to establish a steady shuttle of water into portable holding tanks. Trucks filled up at two locations on Route 196 and at another hydrant on Ivanhoe Drive.

Smoke hovered around the Topsham Fair Mall and along Route 196.

As of 8:30 p.m., Stockdale said crews were dividing the scrap pile of compressed cars burning from the portion yet to ignite. They would then begin picking through the burning pile where fire was trapped throughout to extinguish the fire. 

Stockdale didn’t yet know the cause of the fire, which can be caused by compressed heat in the debris, but he said he plans to investigate. If nothing else, it can help avoid a similar fire in the future.

The chief said the fire department will work with the company to get the hydrants working on site.