MFD determines origin of fire at tire recycling plant near 32nd and Locust

MILWAUKEE -- After two days, The Milwaukee Fire Department has found where the fire started at a tire recycling plant on Thursday, February 8th.

A massive fire broke out at a tire store near 32nd and Locust Thursday, February 8th. Crews battled the blaze for several hours to get it under control. The size of the building is huge, and several units responded to the scene. Firefighters cut open a portion of the building to gain access to the flames.

Fire at Tires Express recycling center

Milwaukee police closed off several blocks in each direction as fire crews laid hose lines because they were having trouble getting water. We Energies shut off natural gas and electricity at the building, saying the flames were threatening nearby power lines.

Fire at Tires Express recycling center

Authorities say the fire started in a pile of tires that quickly spread to a number of other tire piles.

Fire at Tires Express recycling center

Fire crews have had a unit on the scene since the incident and are still there as of Saturday morning, February 10th. Crews have been knocking out the smoldering remains in the tire piles but officials say all active flames have been extinguished.

There is not a damage estimate yet and no injuries have been reported.