Second South Valley recycling plant fire damages neighboring Albuquerque businesses
A second blaze at Town Recycling in the South Valley ruined neighbouring business equipment, according to officials. The incident marks the second fire at the site in less than two weeks.
Flames spread quickly on Tuesday night. Crews had been digging through rubble from an earlier blaze on Memorial Day weekend. They saw smoke before flames erupted again from bales of cardboard.
Neighboring business owner Khalil Samaha watched the flames reach his property. His companies are Cedar’s Construction and Samcar Inc.
“It could have been preventable a second time. I saw my equipment burn, and I saw part of the building catch fire.”
A large plume of black smoke filled the South Valley skies on Tuesday night. Fire crews worked on Wednesday to clean up the aftermath. Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue Chief Zach Lardy spoke about the start of the blaze.
Lardy said the flames started in a yard where crews had fought a fire on Saturday of the previous week. Samaha said his foreman saw smoke while loading up for work the next day. The fire jumped the fence and reached his building within minutes.
Samaha called 911. He saw two Bobcats and a trailer burn. Crews made him leave.
Lardy said the previous fire was smoldering under bales of cardboard at the facility. Tuesday’s heat and intense winds reignited the area, Lardy said.
“It was a very rapid growth, very quick development of the fire. When our crews got on scene, they experienced really erratic fire conditions driven by the wind.”
Lardy said Samaha’s two businesses will end up being condemned. Town Recycling faced internal damage, Lardy explained. He noted it will be a while before anyone can enter the properties.
County fire crews investigate recurring commercial blazes and inspect structural stability. Officials monitor hot spots to prevent further ignition before owners enter damaged sites.
Lardy said the agency will work with Town Recycling owners on a mitigation plan. Crews will also help remove materials from the property in Albuquerque.
