Westport fire causes $200,000 in damage Tuesday

The Westport Fire Department battled a blaze Tuesday afternoon.

According to Capt. Brian Beaulieu, at approximately 3:40 p.m., the Westport Fire Department received a report of a fire within a structure at Mid-City Scrap Iron & Salvage Company at 548 State Road.

The Deputy Chief was the first to arrive on scene, approximately 3 minutes later, and reported smoke coming from one of the processing buildings. It was reported, by employees, that a bail of metal was burning. It was determined that the metal that was burning was Titanium, which requires specific extinguishing agents, or the fire has to burn itself out. Adding water to these fires will only make them burn hotter, according to Beaulieu. Due to the location of the fire, and the difficulty in extinguishing metal fires, the fire was not considered under control for approximately 90 minutes after arriving. Personnel remained on scene for an additional hour for overhaul.

The building was damaged, structurally, due to the extensive heat caused by the fire.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

Westport responded with 3 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Ambulance, and was assisted by Dartmouth District 3 with an additional Engine.

The fire caused an estimated $200,000 loss to the building and contents.