Plumes of black smoke arose from a fire at ALCOA East, an aluminum products plant in Massena, at approximately 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday.
The burning structure, formerly known as the Reynolds Metal Company, released smoke into the air which caused some concern over air quality.
The cause of the industrial fire is not known at this time.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division monitored the reported fire, which was short in duration.
SRMT Air Quality Program Manager, Angela Benedict, stated, “because of the general good quality of the air today, with no low-hanging clouds, and the fact that the fire was quick in duration, the incident posed minimal threat.”
Air quality station readings that were conducted within the jurisdiction of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe showed nothing out of the ordinary, and no threat to the Akwesasne community.
The SRMT Environment Division has made contact with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
