PHOENIX — Fire and hazardous materials crews battled a fire at an electronics recycling facility near 75th Avenue and Van Buren Street.
The fire, which broke out around 6:30 a.m. Friday, involved electronics recycling equipment and small batteries, Phoenix Fire Department said.
More than a dozen workers were inside the facility when a series of small explosions occurred, leading to a fire in the building. All of the workers safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
When emergency crews from Phoenix, Glendale, and Avondale arrived at the scene, they were able to use a drone to get inside the building and see what materials they were working with. A hazardous materials team was also at the scene as a precaution.
“This is the future. This is what we have to look forward to,” a spokesperson from Phoenix Fire Department said regarding the dangers of batteries and increased use of them.
Phoenix Fire Department has been utilizing its new drone program, which is about a year old, more often lately to better understand scenes and promote safety.
"It’s really going to help to keep firefighters safe," the spokesperson said.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Traffic along 75th Avenue was shut down for firefighting efforts in the area.
