Bob's Tire

New Bedford tire recycling facilities are coming under increased scrutiny, after one facility that has seen multiple fires and workplace violations in recent years is being fined $16,000 by MassDEP.

A large fire at a North End tire recycling facility in New Bedford has blocked traffic on Brook Street from Sawyer to Deane streets since around noon on Thursday.

Towering piles of shredded rubber, heavy equipment with no backup signal, and an unsafe conveyor belt were among problems found by inspectors.

New Bedford firefighters responded to a fire on Brook St. Thursday night.