Multiple businesses destroyed in recycling plant fire in Phoenix
Jun 5, 2021, 1:55 PM | Updated: Jun 6, 2021, 11:58 am
(Twitter photo by Phoenix Fire Department)
(Twitter photo by Phoenix Fire Department)
PHOENIX — A fire at a recycling plant in Phoenix on Saturday destroyed multiple businesses and initiated a response from fire departments in seven cities in the Valley to stop the spread.
Phoenix Fire Department first responded to the scene, which was quickly upgraded to a Type 1 fire.
Smoke from the recycling plant, located near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Lincoln Street, could be seen from 19th Avenue.
The assignment has been upgraded to a 4th Alarm. pic.twitter.com/wHL6PPtR7l
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) June 5, 2021
In a tweet, officials said the Type 1 fire was the largest response for the department ever recorded. More than 200 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze.
Additionally, multiple cars at a nearby junkyard caught fire after wind caused the fire to jump 35th Avenue, officials said.
Embers from the fire were flying toward residential areas, which caused the fire to quickly be upgraded to Type 1 status.
A total of 150 people were without power for 10 hours due to the blaze, authorities said.
Firefighters remained on the scene overnight to ensure hotspots were extinguished. One firefighter was injured while battling the blaze and was transported to a local hospital with a lower extremity injury.
Smoke from the fire could be seen by radar from the National Weather Service traveling east.
A large plume from the big fire west of downtown Phoenix as seen on our radar loop this afternoon. #azwx pic.twitter.com/onosH0gDuM
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 5, 2021
Another fire also erupted at a nearby field on 35th Avenue and Harrison Street. Firefighters did not confirm whether it was due to embers from the recycling plant fire.
A firefighter who suffered a lower extremity injury remained hospitalized Sunday in stable condition.
Ten area agencies joined in the effort at Friedman Waste Control Systems in west Phoenix on Saturday afternoon as wooden pallets loaded with cardboard and paper fueled the flames that sent smoke over much of the city.
A neighboring lumber company, tire shop and recycling center were among the businesses lost.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
