ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete Fire Rescue crews are battling a large scrap metal blaze Thursday afternoon at a recycling center.
The fire started just before 2 p.m. in a pile of Hurricane Milton debris at the Aceros America St Pete recycling center on 30th Avenue North near 26th Street North.
Roads are closed between 28th and 32nd avenues and 25th and 28th streets while crews respond. People living in the nearby Ponce De Leon neighborhood have also been evacuated due to the large amounts of smoke.
Photos show a pile of metal scraps, appliances and debris on fire and a large plume of black smoke.
“I know it's a big plume of smoke that’s in the air and a lot of people can see, especially from the interstate, but we are definitely taking care of it," Fire Rescue Captain Garth Swingle said. "It’s just so much debris and it’s so deep in there, it’s gonna take a lot of time and a lot of water."
Swingle confirmed that the fire is contained to that one pile of debris. Fire crews said power lines were also affected by the fire but did not say if services will be impacted.
Multiple units remain on the scene.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
