Tampa Fire Rescue firefighters have contained what earlier today was a raging fire at a scrap metal and recycling business at the Port of Tampa.
The fire was reported at about 3:30 p.m. today at Trademark Metals Recycling, 4201 Maritime Blvd., Tampa.
No one was injured in the blaze.
The fire started in a pile of household machinery and appliances which is about 2 1/2 stories high and the length of a football field, said Capt. Lonnie Benniefield, a fire department spokesman. The pile of metal ultimately was going to be transferred to a shredder, he said.
It is unknown exactly how or where the fire began. Benniefield speculates it started in the middle of the pile.
Large plumes of smoke from the blaze can be seen throughout much of the Tampa Bay area. Smoke is drifting over Davis Islands and Hillsborough Bay.
The fire department hasn't issued safety or hazardous warnings. Benniefield cautioned that no one should stand in an area where they can inhale the smoke.
The cause of the fire is considered accidental, Bennefield said.
"When you are moving piles of metal, they touch and there could be a spark," he said. "This is not uncommon for this to happen."
It isn't known how long it will take firefighters to put out the fire. It might take days, Benniefield said.
In November 2007, a large fire broke out at Trademark Metals, in an area where scrap metal was piled. Like today's fire, that fire caused a plume of smoke that could be seen for miles.
Stay with TBO.com for updates.
The fire was reported at about 3:30 p.m. today at Trademark Metals Recycling, 4201 Maritime Blvd., Tampa.
No one was injured in the blaze.
The fire started in a pile of household machinery and appliances which is about 2 1/2 stories high and the length of a football field, said Capt. Lonnie Benniefield, a fire department spokesman. The pile of metal ultimately was going to be transferred to a shredder, he said.
It is unknown exactly how or where the fire began. Benniefield speculates it started in the middle of the pile.
Large plumes of smoke from the blaze can be seen throughout much of the Tampa Bay area. Smoke is drifting over Davis Islands and Hillsborough Bay.
The fire department hasn't issued safety or hazardous warnings. Benniefield cautioned that no one should stand in an area where they can inhale the smoke.
The cause of the fire is considered accidental, Bennefield said.
"When you are moving piles of metal, they touch and there could be a spark," he said. "This is not uncommon for this to happen."
It isn't known how long it will take firefighters to put out the fire. It might take days, Benniefield said.
In November 2007, a large fire broke out at Trademark Metals, in an area where scrap metal was piled. Like today's fire, that fire caused a plume of smoke that could be seen for miles.
Stay with TBO.com for updates.
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