A massive fire broke out at a recycling plant in Fresno County, Wednesday. It happened near Orange and Church, just south of Downtown Fresno.
Investigators say the fire started when employees were using a grinder to cut metal outside. Sparks from the grinder caught the grass on fire and spread to the fabric bales. Two acres of fabric bales, 15-feet high, caught fire at the Soex West Textile Recycling Plant. The three alarm industrial fire started at around 11:00 a.m. Black plumes of smoke covered the sky in Fresno and in surrounding areas. Fire crews say this isn't the first time there's been a fire at the plant.
“We have had fires here in the past. To us there's no violation, the only violation that we would see is the weed abatement, but they do have their weeds clear in some areas,” said Fresno County Fire Captain, John Dominguez.
The plant recycles carpets, clothing and other textile materials. Investigators say there's a possibility that a fine will be levied against the company. A portion of the plant's warehouse was also damaged. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
TXT 24
Twitter
Facebook