Barrie firefighters responded to an early morning fire at a metal recycling business on John Street on Tuesday and remained on the scene putting out hot spots.

Crews received the call just before 4am on November 12 for the fire at Triple M Metal.

“When they arrived, there was smoke and they raised the alarm, calling for more trucks,” Deputy Chief Eric MacFadden said. Barrie Today.

Firefighters gained access through a fence to the business because no one was there at the time, he said.

No injuries were reported.

The fire was contained to a smaller portion of 220 John St. in an extension of the building, according to MacFadden.

“Crews took a defensive approach to the fire attack because there was a bit of roof collapse where the fire was,” he added.

“We don’t put people in the building just because it wasn’t safe to go in,” MacFadden said.

At its peak, Barrie Fire had five trucks on scene and that was later reduced to three, he added.

Fire crews remained at the scene as of 9:30 a.m., dealing with hot spots and conducting a preliminary investigation.

“The fire is out. There might be some little smoldering spots,” MacFadden said. “We’re just trying to find all those spots and do everything we can to make sure everything is completely eliminated, vent the smoke and make sure it’s safe to bring the building back (to its owner).”

When crews first arrive at a fire scene, MacFadden said they do a check of the entire building to see what’s going on and what conditions they’re encountering before making a decision on how best to fight each fire.

“We’re not putting people in if it’s not safe … we’re just finding other means to make some openings and use our high water flows to be able to put water in and put out the fire,” he said.

MacFadden said there are no concerns about toxic fumes despite the location.

The fire is being investigated by Barrie Fire and Emergency Services personnel. The cause remains unknown.