Edinburgh scrap metal business a total loss after fire

A downtown commercial building fire lit up the sky Friday night in Edinburgh.

Group Metals Recycling, 111 N. Holland St. caught fire at about 5:35 p.m. Friday. No injuries were reported in the fire, however, the building is a total loss, according to a joint statement from Edinburgh police and fire departments.

At the time of dispatch from Johnson County 911, the Edinburgh Fire Department was responding to a motor vehicle accident at U.S. 31 and Eisenhower Drive. Mutual aid companies from Nineveh, German Township, Amity, Trafalgar, Franklin, and Columbus Township Fire Departments were dispatched to assist.

When the first firefighters arrived, the building was already fully engulfed in flames. The roof collapsed also within minutes of arrival, according to Edinburgh Fire and Rescue.

Firefighters from Edinburgh and other agencies attacked the fire from all sides. Amid high winds and chilly rain, the fire was brought under control by about 6:59 p.m. The building had many vehicle parts, oil and propane tanks throughout the building also made the fire a difficult fight, firefighters said.

The cause of the fire had not been determined by press time. Edinburgh Police, Edinburgh Fire and the Indiana State Fire Marshals office are investigating the cause of the fire, officials said.

Because of the chemicals inside the building, officials called in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to test the runoff and determine any impact on nearby drinking water wells. The run-off was within normal levels, officials said.

Residents came together to help first responders in any way they could. Local company Robertson Paving helped move debris and heavy items inside of the building with their excavator, allowing firefighters better access to interior fires and hotspots, according to Edinburgh Fire and Rescue.

First responders sent out a thank you to residents who brought food and drinks to crews. Special thanks were sent to 6-year-old Amari and her mother Kristen Monson, who brought drinks to first responders on Amari’s birthday.

Anyone with any information about this fire is asked to contact Police Chief Doyne Little at 812-526-3500 or [email protected].

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said the business was closed prior to the fire, per Google. A passage regarding the business being closed was removed.