American Iron & Metal fire put out, health advisory lifted
A fire that sparked at the American Iron & Metal facilityin Pueblo Sunday has been put out. A health advisory that was issued for Salt Creek and Blende has been lifted.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said a pile of debris the size of a football field caught fire, causing a massive plume of black smoke just after 2:30 Sunday (06/07/15) afternoon.
Multiple agencies responded to the fire to contain the blaze and re-direct traffic.
Residents in the Salt Creek neighborhood were asked to evacuate, if possible. If not, they were told to stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Residents in the Blende neighborhood were also asked to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.
A fire broke out in April at the scrap yard. The Pueblo Health Department also issued a health advisory for the Salt Creek neighborhood during that fire.
Neighbors said they are frustrated their health has been jeopardized a second time.
“What are these people at American Metal trying to do? Kill us? This is ridiculous,” said Kathleen Cordova.
Cordova said the smoke plume above her home is coating her property with embers and chemicals. She worried about her elderly relatives and children exposed to the thick smoke.
“Something has got to give. It seems like Salt Creek is always the forgotten little town. We are getting tired of it and people complain but no one comes out to help us,” said Cordova.
Damian Apodaca, 10, was riding his bike when he saw the white smoke. He watched police go door to door, warning his neighbors of the health risks from smoke exposure.
Apodaca said it smelled worse in his neighborhood in April because the smoke was thicker.
“Last time it was here it was burning chemicals and all this place was like clouded up. It did bother me that time. I was sleeping on the couch right next to the window and it smelled like barbecue. You know that smell when you’re barbecuing? It smelled like that,” said Apodaca.
Nadine Triste is fed up.
“We don’t know what chemicals are going to be sticking in our trees, in our plants and our houses, in our dirt,” said Triste. “Who takes responsibility for making sure it doesn’t happen again? That’s what we want to know.”
