Crews contain fire at battery recycling plant in Eagan
EAGAN, Minn. — The coast is clear after an Eagan recycling plant caught fire early Sunday morning.
Eagan Deputy Fire Chief Kip Springer said the call for a structure fire at Gopher Resources off Yankee Doodle Road and Highway 149 came in before 5 a.m.
"We made calls to everyone," Springer said.
Springer said the five fire alarm response brought in help from 12 different cities. Gopher Resources is a recycling facility that specializes in automotive batteries and pure lead. Considering what's inside, crews worked quickly.
"It's a double roof, so the fire is kind of contained in between that, which made it a labor intensive event for us," Springer said.
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Since the facility operates 24/7, firefighters first safely evacuated all employees inside. The Minnesota State Patrol closed Highway 149 and a hazmat team made its way on scene.
"The fire was contained to the roof," Springer said. "There was no product inside the building that was burning, that we are aware of. No concern to that."
There was no public threat, thanks to some swift teamwork.
"We're doing some decon for our firefighters again just precautionary, so we keep everything contained to the site," Springer said.
All roads are reopened in the area. The Eagan Fire Department is working with other agencies to monitor any environmental impacts, due the materials inside the building. WCCO is told so far, there are no levels of concern.