PHOENIX — Approximately 100 firefighters from Phoenix, Tempe and Guadalupe were called to combat a 2nd Alarm fire that erupted at a recycling business near 44th Street and University drive early Sunday morning.
According to a spokesperson for the Phoenix Fire Department, the 29,000 square foot facility caught fire just after midnight on Sunday.
"When fire crews arrived they could see the glow from the fire but had difficulty in gaining access as several other tightly secured business surrounded the area where the fire seemed to originate," the Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson said.
After evaluating the size and complexity of the fire, firefighters upgraded the fire to a 1st Alarm call.
"Hose streams from handlines were quickly overcome from the rapidly growing and intense flames," Phoenix Fire said. "A ladder truck crew made it to the roof and discovered that the roof was collapsing and flames were coming through the roof."
The decision was made to fight the fire from the exterior, rather than interior, and the fire was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
No firefighters or civilians were injured, Phoenix Fire says.
