A recycling center in Salt Lake City became the site of an ongoing fire early Friday, bringing firefighters to battle a blaze that's expected to persist for days. The Salt Lake City Fire Department responded to the fire at the Metro Group Recycling Center located at 3150 Harvey Milk Boulevard after it started around 5:15 a.m., as reported by The Salt Lake Tribune. Approximately 50 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, where a pile of recycled vehicles was on fire.
Fire Capt. Brandt Hancuff told FOX 13 News that the stacked arrangement of vehicles is complicating the situation, suggesting the fire could last for days. "Unfortunately, this is going to be a very long and drawn-out process given the amount of vehicles that are stacked on top and on top and on top of each other," Hancuff stated. Crews are facing additional dangers with propane tanks, underground propane lines, and tanks containing diesel and liquid nitrogen near the fire.
Thick black smoke from the blaze, which has engulfed approximately an acre of stacked vehicles, is visible across the valley, and a crew on site has observed visible flames. The effort to control the fire has been complex due to the hazardous materials on site. According to ABC 3340, moderate winds initially posed a challenge to firefighting efforts, but a structure west of the fire was saved. Firefighters have strategically positioned themselves to protect the area from the fire reaching the hazardous materials.
While the cause of the fire remains unclear, fire officials have implemented a strategic line to shield the dangerous materials and plan to use heavy equipment to move vehicles and reach hot spots. "So this will be burning, possibly for days," Hancuff explained, as obtained by FOX 13 News, indicating the scale of the challenge ahead. The Salt Lake City community is urged to stay informed as the situation develops.
