When firefighters left the scene of Thursday’s fire in a large scrap pile in Falls Township, the bulk of the flames were out.
On Friday, crews from Mazza Iron and Steel recycling center on Solar Drive in the Keystone Trade Center complex continued to pull apart the pile and knock out remaining pockets of fire.
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Falls Township Fire Company Deputy Chief Drew Zeek said firefighters from stations across Lower Bucks County cleared from the scene just before midnight Thursday.
“The bulk of the fire and raging part was extinguished,” he said. “There were spots we couldn’t get, and it was going to require several more hours of pulling it apart.”
With firefighters wiped after spending nearly 12 hours battling flames, the remains were deemed minor enough to be doused by private crews.
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In addition to Thursday’s high temperatures, the size of the pile and raging flames caused very high heat around the pile.
No injuries were reported, but several firefighters were evaluated at the scene by medics for exposure to heat. None needed to be taken to the hospital.
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Fire crews were called to Mazza Iron and Steel around 12:35 p.m. Thursday for the report of a rubbish fire. The flames quickly spread through the large pile and sent smoke high into the summer sky.
Fire Marshal Rich Dippolito said the cause wasn’t known.
The size of the fire required engine and ladder trucks from across Lower Bucks County and some from neighboring New Jersey to be called in. Tanker trucks were also used to transport additional water to the scene, as having numerous hose lines hooked up to the water system was straining supply.
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Firefighters and the metal recycling center used heavy equipment and cranes to pull the pile apart so firefighters could battle the deep-seated fire.
Zeek said fire crews were at their stations until 2 a.m. Friday cleaning their equipment after fighting the flames. He added hose lines had to be scrubbed and washed down before being loaded back onto the trucks.
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