“Allowing an organized industrial company like that, performing the sort of industrial activities that they have this close and up front to a residential area is completely inappropriate,” said another West Oakland resident, Philip Patrick. “And the fact that our state leaders, federal leaders have allowed something like this to take place is really a travesty.”
Oakland Fire Department spokesperson Mike Hunt said in a statement to KQED late last week that there was as yet no official cause for the fire, although he added “historically, these fires are typically caused by lithium ion batteries that get damaged while in the piles.”
During the Q&A section of Saturday’s meeting, residents asked what is being done to prevent toxic fires. Representatives from Schnitzer Steel said they inspect every load that comes onto the site. They also said an investigation is underway to learn from the most recent fire. “We are looking to enclose the rest of our shredder,” said Tasion Kwamilele, Public Affairs manager for Schnitzer Steel.
In a statement to KQED on Tuesday, Eric Potashner, chief public affairs and communications officer of Radius Recycling, said: “The Company has fully cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the investigation conducted by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office regarding the fire on August 9th, in which no injuries were reported. We are grateful for the prompt response of the Oakland Fire Department and other first responders, who swiftly arrived at our recycling facility and brought the situation to a safe conclusion.”
KQED’s Billy Cruz contributed to this report.