Early Tuesday morning, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department tackled a significant blaze at Atlantic Can Inc., a tire recycling center on Jacksonville's Northside. According to First Coast News, the fire began around midnight and has consumed three to four acres of debris, with tires fueling the intensity of the flames.
As the fire expanded, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Captain Eric Prosswimmer characterized the situation as challenging, explaining that "Rubber is a very difficult thing to extinguish, it burns very hot" and re-ignite when the water supply ceases. As told to Action News Jax, the fire's location, blocked access, and road blockages have posed difficulties in firefighting efforts. Crews have been siphoning water from a nearby apartment complex to combat the inferno, indicating a lack of easily accessible fire hydrants at the facility.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire, and so far, no structures are in danger of being impacted. "We've really dampened it down quite a bit," Prosswimmer assured First Coast News, highlighting the ongoing efforts to mitigate the flames.
Despite the efforts, the fire's persistence creates lingering concerns. City Councilmember Mike Gay, upon seeing the discourse on social media, visited the site and raised issues about the lack of fire hydrants which has extended the firefighting process. He indicated to News4Jax that it may take days to extinguish fully. The black smoke, a byproduct of the fiercely burning rubber, prompted Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department to issue warnings about its inhalation risks, underscoring the toxic nature of this incident. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department remains optimistic, however, continuing their round-the-clock efforts to bring the situation under control as efficiently as possible.
