Massive fire at Minnesota recycling plant burns for 2 days. It can last for several more.

Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY
·2 min read

BECKER, Minn. — A fire at a Minnesota recycling plant is forcing businesses and schools to close around the area after burning for more 48 hours. And investigators believe that it could last for several more days.

The fire was first spotted by a passerby at the Northern Metal Recycling plant in Becker, Minnesota, around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Firefighter Toni Knutson says the fire is burning under a huge pile of cars. She says cranes are being used to remove the vehicles from the pile one-by-one as firefighters spray water on the fire.

Although residents are not being asked to evacuate, they were urged to stay away from the immediate area. Schools were closed Thursday as officials monitor the air quality.

Authorities urged those with respiratory problems to stay inside or in well-ventilated areas.

Becker Police Chief Brent Baloun says prevailing winds have been blowing smoke away from the town.

“We’ve been fortunate with the wind,” he said.

However, residents about 9 mile southeast of Becker caught most of the smoke drift Wednesday. Big Lake Police Chief Joel Scharf says the smell of burning plastic and smoke wafting through town raised health concerns from residents.

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According to a news release sent Wednesday evening, firefighters will separate a portion of the burning vehicle stack at the plant and let it burn itself out in order to protect the entire inventory of vehicles, as well as the buildings on the property.

Northern Metal moved its shredding operation from Minneapolis to Becker last year after the Pollution Control Agency ordered it shut down because of high levels of air pollution and inaccurately recorded pollution reads.

Becker, with a population of about 4,500, is about 48 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Authorities say the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Contributing: St. Cloud Times, Associated Press. Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Becker, Minnesota recycling plant fire keeps burning, schools close