Massive Fire Breaks Out at Plastic Recycling Yard in Glendale
PHOENIX – On Saturday night, a massive fire erupted at a plastic recycling yard near US 60 and 67th Avenue in Glendale, sending a huge plume of smoke into the air. The fire broke out around 6 p.m. and quickly escalated, prompting Glendale Fire to upgrade it to a working fire with exposures to a building.
Initial reports indicated that a semi-truck was on fire in an unknown yard, but it was later confirmed that a full semi-truck and trailer were engulfed in flames. An explosion was reported, believed to have been caused by a fuel tank. Glendale Fire immediately requested assistance from nearby fire departments, including Phoenix, Peoria, Tempe, and Tolleson.
The recycling yard, which also produces pet food and food containers, is located near a roofing company. It is unclear if the roofing company sustained any damage from the fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but firefighters were able to bring it under control within a few hours.
Assistant Chief Ken Barnes of Glendale Fire stated that the fire was nearly extinguished by 8:40 p.m. and that crews were in a good position in terms of firefighting efforts. Approximately 75 firefighters responded to the blaze, and there have been no reported injuries to firefighters or residents in the area.
As a precautionary measure, neighborhoods within a two-block radius of the scene were evacuated, and the railroad was closed while the fire raged on. The National Weather Service in Phoenix reported that the fire was visible on weather radar, and wind gusts of up to 20-25 mph were expected following the outflows.
Road closures are currently in effect, with US 60 (Grand Ave) closed in both directions between 59th Ave/Glendale and 67th Ave/Northern, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities will assess the extent of the damage once the area is deemed safe.
What safety measures should be implemented in recycling yards dealing with flammable materials to prevent incidents like the fire at Ng yard in Glendale?
Ng yard in Glendale, causing extensive damage and sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.
The fire ignited at around 9 p.m. local time, quickly engulfing the recycling yard located in Glendale, a city northwest of Phoenix. Flames grew rapidly, fueled by the vast amount of plastic materials present at the facility.
Authorities arrived on the scene promptly and worked tirelessly to contain the fire. Multiple fire departments from neighboring areas were called in to assist in battling the blaze. Firefighters had to navigate through huge piles of plastic debris to get closer to the heart of the fire and extinguish it.
The thick black smoke from the fire could be seen billowing for miles, raising concerns about air quality and health hazards for nearby residents. As a precautionary measure, local authorities advised people in the vicinity to stay indoors and keep their windows closed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that it may have originated from a machinery malfunction at the facility. However, no injuries have been reported so far, and all employees were safely evacuated.
The fire has caused significant damage to the plastic recycling yard, with large sections of the facility completely destroyed. The extent of the financial loss is yet to be determined, but it is expected to be substantial.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with recycling yards, especially those dealing with flammable materials. Adequate safety measures and regular equipment inspections are essential to prevent such devastating incidents.
Efforts to clean up the site and investigate the cause of the fire are now underway. The recycling yard will likely remain closed until authorities deem it safe to resume operations.
Oh no, I hope no one was hurt!