Early Tuesday morning, a pile of tires at a gas station on University Avenue in Morris Heights erupted in flames, sending thick black smoke over the neighborhood. Video of the scene shows towering flames as crews battled the blaze, which officials say started just before 6 a.m. Authorities reported no injuries as firefighters worked to keep the fire from spreading.
Massive response on University Avenue
Nearly 80 firefighters were on scene to knock down the burning tire pile and chase lingering hot spots, according to News 12 New York. The outlet's footage captured heavy flames and dense smoke rising above the station as crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. Officials told the station the cause was not immediately clear.
Why tire fires are particularly hazardous
Piles of scrap tires burn hotter and longer than many other materials and can smolder for days, producing toxic smoke and oily runoff that complicate firefighting and cleanup, the U.S. Fire Administration reports. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also warns that burning tires release hazardous compounds, including volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, that can pose health risks to people downwind. Those hazards help explain why crews often call in extra units and plan for long overhauls even after the main flames are knocked down.
Neighborhood still recovering from recent blazes
Residents in Morris Heights have seen several major fires recently; News 12 New York reported that a destructive supermarket blaze nearby left a C-Town store boarded up only weeks earlier after more than 200 firefighters battled that incident. The latest tire-yard fire added to concerns about public safety and air quality as crews finished overhaul and cleanup on University Avenue. Officials did not immediately say whether storage or zoning played a role in the tire pile's ignition.
