14 fire departments fight scrap-yard blaze

CANTON (AP) -- Firefighters worked at a scrap metal yard for more than 24 hours to extinguish a blaze that stretched nearly the size of a football field, authorities said.
Departments from across Stark County responded at about 10:30 a.m. Monday to the fire at PSC Metals, which straddles the Stark and Perry township lines in Northeast Ohio. Eventually 14 departments and 22 tankers were brought in to help douse the flames.
Crews remained at the scene until after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The fire spewed a dark plume of smoke into the air and raised concerns it could reach a nearby oil well or electrical substation if not contained. County health officials were called to the scene to monitor the air quality.
Clutter from scrap-yard debris made fighting the fire difficult, and firefighters said they had to clear a path just to reach the site of the fire.
"We're doing the best we can. ... This place is a mess," said Larry Sedlock, Perry Township deputy fire chief. "Motorcycles, treadmills -- you name it, it's burning."
PSC Metals experienced another fire in a another part of the yard two weeks ago, Sedlock said. Officials are investigating what caused the most recent fire and plan to interview employees.