Milwaukee recycling plant fire, smoke billows near I-94
MILWAUKEE - A three-alarm fire at Milwaukee Recycles prompted evacuation of the Menomonee River Valley site Wednesday afternoon, May 31.
The Milwaukee Fire Department was first dispatched to the plant on Mount Vernon Avenue at 1:48 p.m. MFD Chief Aaron Lipski said the facility has a "long, storied history" of fires.
A passing train blocked what would've been the first crew to respond, but all employees were able to evacuate by the time firefighters arrived.
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Operated by Republic Services, the facility processes recyclables under a joint venture between the City of Milwaukee and Waukesha County. Milwaukee's Department of Public Works tells FOX6 that an equipment operator saw a small fire in a holding bin, activated the fire suppression system and called 911 just before 2 p.m.
A second alarm was called around 2:15 p.m. and the third alarm around 2:45 p.m. Lipski said the fire was not under control as of 4 p.m., and firefighters were disassembling the exterior of the facility to better access and extinguish the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Lipski said toxicity of the burned material, including some of the plastics you put in your recycling bin, was a concern, with HAZMAT teams taking air samples. Lipski advised people to close their windows or avoid the area if possible. The Milwaukee Fire Department later determined the air quality was not toxic.
Fire at Milwaukee recycling plant near I-94
Statement from Republic Services
At approximately 2:10 PM CT, a fire broke out at the Milwaukee Recycling Center. We are thankful to report that all of our employees are safe and unharmed. At this time we do not know the cause of the fire and are cooperating with the fire department as they work to extinguish the fire.
Statement from Milwaukee Department of Public Works
The Milwaukee Fire Department is on scene addressing a fire at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located at 1401 W. Mt. Vernon Ave. This is a joint facility that processes recyclables for the City of Milwaukee and Waukesha County and is managed by our operator Republic Services.
At approximately 1:45 PM today, staff from Republic Services discovered what was initially a small fire in the paper storage bunker, a holding bin where the sorted grade of material accumulates prior to being baled and eventually shipped out as a commodity. Staff immediately activated the facility’s Deluge System which is a supplemental fire suppression system recently added to complement the sprinkler system and to direct larger volumes of water to specific zones of higher fire risk. The operator also contacted 911. The heat also activated the facility’s main sprinkler system. All personnel in the facility were safely evacuated. MFD responded to the incident and we very much appreciate their efforts. Once the fire is contained and the building is given an all clear, our operator will assess the full extent of the damage and its expected impact on the operations.
As of now city of Milwaukee residents should continue with their normal practice and schedule of recycling cart collection. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works is investigating options where to send recyclable materials if the MRF is not an option.