KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — State authorities have kept open a 2018 inspection of Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling's North Knoxville plant for more than a year after assessing more than $15,000 in fines against it, records show.
The owners of Fort Loudon also face a $5,700 fine for a separate inspection -- a case that's since been turned over for debt collection because of non-payment, TOSHA records show.
Jason Bales said Wednesday he owns the business at 2742 Hancock St. with his brother.
Bales told 10News he was "in shock" over the huge blaze and repeated explosions. The business is a total loss, he said.
In 2018, records show, state inspectors conducted separate health and safety reviews of the property, tucked into a working-class North Knoxville neighborhood.
The first, in January 2018, originated with a complaint, according to documents.
That case is still open. Typically, when TOSHA inspects and then acts against a property or owner, cases are resolved and closed.
After the first case was opened in January, the state issued fines totaling $15,300 for Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling. The fines included citations of 18 detailed problems as well as two repeat violations, according to documents.
Cited violations addressed problems such as sanitation, control of hazardous energy, handling materials, and problems with machinery.
The plant also was inspected February 2018 as a referral.
As a result of that review, in June 2018 fines totaling $5,700 were assessed by the state.
State records show that case has been referred to debt collection for non-payment.
The violations found there generally cited the requirement that employers operate a place free from hazards, according to records.
The property previously was the site of Silver Furniture Company Inc
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling acquired the site after a public auction in Knox County in June 2011, records show.