Fire at Albuquerque plastic storage plant sends huge plume of black smoke into the sky – as firefighters warn ‘hazardous materials’ could burn for DAYS
- Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the site, moving with the strong winds. Officials have warned the smoke may contain dangerous air pollutants
- Lt. Jason Fejer of Albuquerque Fire Rescue said fires caused by plastics can be “very difficult to put out”
An out-of-control fire raged through a plastic storage plant in Albuquerque, sending huge, toxic plumes of black smoke into the sky.
The blaze started as a small outdoor fire at 5301 Hawking Drive in Mesa Del Sol – but quickly grew into a multi-alarm, multi-jurisdictional inferno on Sunday afternoon.
Officials noted at a press conference that the fire could burn for “potentially days.”
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the site, moving with the strong winds. Officials warned that the residue and smoke could contain dangerous air pollutants.
Residents were asked to stay indoors with their windows closed.
At least two acres of land were burning by mid-afternoon – but that should have increased overnight.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported, but the fire continues to burn
The blaze started as a small outdoor blaze – but quickly spread, becoming a multi-alarm, multi-jurisdictional inferno on Sunday afternoon.
Albuquerque Fire wrote on social media, “AFR and Bernalillo County are working on a multi-alarm, multi-jurisdictional fire. Structures, products and vehicles are concerned.
“Fire is not under control. Stay clear of Bobby Foster area and South University.
CABQ Environmental Health said: ‘The fire is at a facility that stores plastics.
‘Please avoid the area. For respiratory health, stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed. If necessary for comfort, operate air conditioners in recirculation/recirculation mode.’
No injuries or deaths were reported.
Lt. Jason Fejer of Albuquerque Fire Rescue said fires caused by plastics can be “very difficult to put out”.
Officials noted at a press conference that the fire could burn for ‘potentially days’
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the site, moving with the strong winds
Lt. Jason Fejer (left) with Albuquerque Fire Rescue said fires caused by plastics can be “very difficult to put out”. Lt Robert Arguelles is pictured on the right
Officials explained that water does not quickly or easily extinguish flames like this – because plastics burn at such high temperatures.
Emergency services try to put out the flames
He said they had no immediate evacuation areas prepared, but reiterated that people should stay indoors and turn off air conditioning units.
Officials explained that water does not quickly or easily extinguish flames like this because plastics burn at such high temperatures.
“It’s going to take a lot of water and a lot of time to get this out,” Fejer said.
