National City
An auto recycling company that was the site of a troublesome fire last month was accused by the San Diego County district attorney’s office Monday of illegal storage of hazardous waste.
Pacific Steel Inc. and its president, Eduardo Gurria, were accused in a misdemeanor complaint of permitting the illegal storage of automobile shredder waste.
The May 22 fire caused the evacuation of a school and homes in the area, but is not part of the charges against the firm.
Arraignment was set for July 6. If convicted, Gurria could be sentenced to one year in jail and the firm could be fined $25,000.
The wastes were parts of crushed vehicles that contain hazardous levels of lead, copper and zinc. Called fluff, it is subject to spontaneous combustion and must be periodically sprayed with water to prevent fire, Deputy Dist. Atty. Josephine Kiernan said.
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