Heavy Fire Discovered at Tire Recycling Plant in Virginia

Firefighters declared a second alarm immediately upon arriving at a burning tire recycling plant in Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday evening to find heavy fire and smoke issuing from the rear of the building.

“Crews are now setting up defensive operation,” a department spokesman posted on Twitter.

A huge pile of tires fueled the spreading fire. Further complicating firefighting efforts, the structural stability of the building became increasingly uncertain with collapses in several locations.

“A primary search was conducted with negative results,” the spokesman posted. “No injuries or fatalities to report at this time.”

Firefighters with the Chesterfield County Fire and EMS and the Henrico County Division of Fire assisted at the fire scene and staffed Richmond fire stations while local firefighters were occupied with the emergency.

At about 9 p.m. the fire was officially declared under control.