Phoenix recycling plant near airport, light rail station catches fire

PHOENIX – Firefighters in Phoenix put out a blaze at a recycling plant Sunday that sent smoke into the area near Sky Harbor Airport.

It was the fourth recycling facility in the city that has caught fire since June.

Capt. Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department said different kinds of material were burning when crews arrived at the Davis Metals and Salvage Company near 32nd and Washington streets at 2 p.m.

Firefighters were able to keep the flames from reaching the building’s main office, Keller said.

The fire shut down Valley Metro light rail service in both directions between the 24th and 38th Street stations for about 45 minutes.

There were no reported injuries.

Cause of the fire is under investigation.

Earlier this month, a recycling yard fire near 27th Avenue and Buckeye Road forced evacuation of several residential buildings.

In June, firefighters responded to two recycling plant fires within a week.

Multiple business were destroyed in a fire near 35th Avenue and Lincoln Street on June 5. More than 200 first responders from seven area fire departments worked the scene.

Phoenix crews were back at it June 11 when a scrap yard near Interstate 17 and McDowell Road went up in flames.

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