Officials: Calverton recycling plant fire brought under control
Fire officials are working to determine the cause of the fire that took more than 90 hours and over 250 volunteer firefighters to put out.
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A massive fire broke out at an East End recycling plant is under control, according to Suffolk fire officials.
One firefighter was injured.
"We were able to set up the ladders on both sides and a big building like this, you need ladders and water and we were able to provide that," Riverhead Fire Chief Piotr Kurzyna said.
Suffolk County fire officials said the fire started at the Crown Recycling Facility at 472 Youngs Ave. in Calverton just after 2 a.m.
Kurzyna said 250 firefighters are on the scene. A total of 35 departments stretching from Greenport to Farmingville, including EMS, are either responding or standing by, according to officials.
"All the different departments came together," Kurzyna said. "We were able to set up a plan with my deputies, which they did an awesome job with all the mutual aids that came down."
According to its website, the facility has been operating since 1970 and specializes in recycling scrap metal, solid waste disposal and demolition debris.
While officials believe it's unlikely, they could not confirm yet if anyone was in the facility overnight.
Employees expecting to clock into work this morning could only standby and watch the facility burn.
"I have no words," employee Edwin said. "It's shocking for me."
Residents were temporarily advised to keep windows closed and to stay inside due to heavy smoke and the dangers of breathing in potentially toxic air.
Osborn Avenue was temporarily closed to Orchard Road during the response.
Earlier coverage:
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fire marshals and arson investigators are at the scene.
A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation told News 12 it was commencing an investigation on-site and evaluating any off-site impacts from the fire or water runoff.
News 12 reached out to the facility for comment but has not heard back yet.
