A massive fire at a recycling center in Philadelphia’s Wissinoming neighborhood is still posing a problem for people in that area even hours after it began. Officials say people do not have to evacuate but it is best to stay inside. NBC10’s Leah Uko has more information from the scene.
Firefighters battled a massive fire at a recycling center in Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon.
The three-alarm fire started at Martin Recycling along the 2200 block of Fraley Street at 3:38 p.m., sending plumes of black smoke into the air. Investigators said the center was open and operating when the fire started.
"On arrival, the companies encountered a junkyard with heavy fire conditions," Philadelphia Fire Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson said. "There were multiple vehicles involved as well as tires."
Around 120 firefighters responded to the fire. Officials said a nearby railroad blocked responding firefighters' access to the facility and they couldn't easily get water onto the flames as a result. They then called in extra personnel and equipment for help.
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Tacony Street was closed in both directions between Vankirk and Bridge streets as firefighters battled the flames. The I-95 exit ramp at Aramingo Avenue was also closed.
Despite the fire being near a railroad, Amtrak, SEPTA and Conrail trains were still able to safely travel in the area.
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Firefighters were able to get the fire under control around 4:40 p.m. but worked through the night monitoring hot spots. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. Officials with the Philadelphia Health Department still warned nearby residents to close their windows and avoid the area however.
Thick black smoke from the fire blew over nearby businesses and homes.
"Everything just hit the fan," Erika Sweeney, a resident, told NBC10. "I looked out my bedroom window and just saw this giant plume of black smoke."
The Health Department sent inspectors to the fire to collect air samples and assess the air quality for any potential threat. They have not detected any hazardous substances but are still collecting samples as a precautionary measure.
The Philadelphia Fire Department and Licenses & Inspections will also look into the possibility of tightening fire codes due to recent junkyard fires in the city, according to officials.
"It certainly is not normal," Deputy Commissioner Thompson said. "It is something that we are looking at. We'll have to work with our partners at Licenses and Inspections to see if there's anything that we can do to make the fire code more robust to maybe reduce or limit that type of fire."
Officials have not yet revealed the cause of Wednesday's fire.
