New Bedford tire recycler — site of July fire — fined $16,080 by MassDEP on safety issues

Frank Mulligan, Standard-Times
·3 min read

NEW BEDFORD — Bob's Tire, the scrap tire recycler that was the scene of a July 7 blaze that produced enough smoke to be seen from Fall River, has been fined $16,080 by the MassDEP for issues related to fire safety.

The city announced the fine in a press release Monday, stating that the "Administrative Consent Order with Penalty" was issued Sept. 20 following repeated city requests to state environmental regulators that more scrutiny be given to local tire recycling locations.

Bob's Tire, located at 55 Brook St., will have to address a range of conditions at the site involving asbestos, hazardous waste, solid waste, and fire safety, according to the release.

The tire recycler, whose owner is listed as Robert Bates of Mattapoisett, agreed to the conditions and fine without admitting or denying the findings but will not contest them. The MassDEP will suspend $5,080 of the fine providing Bob's Tire doesn't violate the consent order or regulations cited for a period of one year.

Among the actions that MassDEP is compelling Bob’s Tire to perform, according to the release:

  • Immediately implement all appropriate best management practices;

  • Perform an asbestos survey/report on the fire-damaged building, file necessary workplans, and abate all areas necessary in accordance with air pollution control regulations;

  • Register as a generator of hazardous waste/waste oil and obtain an EPA identification number;

  • Compile a listing of all materials in and out of the facility and complete a detailed operations plan including contingencies for supply chain and other transportation-related issues;

  • Develop and submit to MassDEP a Fire Control and Safety Plan that identifies prevention, containment, and extinguishment.

New Bedford firefighters battle a multi-alarm fire at Bob's Tire Company on Brook Street in July.
New Bedford firefighters battle a multi-alarm fire at Bob's Tire Company on Brook Street in July.

The city "has intensified its efforts to hold tire recycling facilities across the city accountable for their impacts on surrounding neighborhoods," according to the release.

It also stated the Bob’s Tire fire was in a dense residential area. "The fire at the sprawling 3.5-acre facility produced thick black smoke which enveloped the surrounding residential neighborhood and threatened to spread to homes located just 70 feet away.

n addition to the structural fire in its processing building, improperly stored piles of shredded rubber tires caught fire, significantly exacerbating the danger to the public."

The New Bedford Fire Dept. has since begun requiring that tire recycling businesses obtain a permit to verify their operations are compliant with state fire rules, according to the release. "The department is now conducting monthly inspections, and if a violation is found, it may lead directly to revocation of the permit, fines, and court action."

The city Department of Facilities has also issued three nuisance violations against Bob’s Tire in the past four months, including several hundred dollars in fines, under an inspection initiative.

The city Department of Inspectional Services has also issued correction orders for several areas surrounding another tire recycler, F&B Rubber located on Washington Street.

Inspectional Services is also awaiting the results of an independent engineer’s report on the structural conditions of the Bob’s Tire processing building. Depending on the report findings, demolition of the structure may be mandated by the city, according to the release.

Mayor Jon Mitchell reiterated his commitment to protecting residents that are affected by tire recycling facilities, saying, “These facilities detract from the surrounding neighborhoods, and they have regularly shirked the obligations to comply with multiple city and state code protections, and have only done so when inspections have exposed their shortcomings. I have long directed city departments to prioritize these locations for code enforcement and have advocated for a more proactive state response.”

Mitchell added, “I want to also express my appreciation for Commissioner (Martin) Suuberg and MassDEP for their willingness to use the robust enforcement tools at their disposal to protect New Bedford residents from the hazards that these facilities represent.”

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Bob's Tire in New Bedford fined $16,080 by MassDEP after July fire