Junked Vehicles Catch Fire at Recycling Center

On Saturday, August 22, Engine 8 and Ladder 8 responded to the recycling center on 4400 Sycamore for smoke and fire coming from a number of junked or crushed cars. Five or six vehicles were in flames upon Engine 8’s arrival. Several were on the ground but a few were in a large pile approximately 20 feet high.
 
An employee at the recycling center reports that the tank area of a vehicle burst into flames while he was using a pincher machine that cuts off gas tanks from these recycled vehicles. The car was approximately 15 feet from the large pile of vehicles but flames traveled quickly and ignited more cars.
 
Ladder Tower 8 sprayed the entire area with water, and Engine 8 used 30 gallons of foam altogether. Recycling center staff helped with firefighting operations by removing some vehicles from the pile so water and foam streams could reach other affected vehicles.
 

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