News Summary
A large fire erupted at Patriot Recycling in Bristol, Tennessee, on Thursday, leading to extensive firefighting efforts from multiple departments. The blaze, fueled by burning rubber, was reported around 3:06 p.m. and required resources from 14 fire departments. Assistant Chief of Operations indicated it was triggered by a malfunctioning machine, spreading flames from a hopper to outdoor rubber heaps. Smoke from the incident was visible from miles away, although no injuries were reported. Efforts to control the blaze are ongoing and may take several days due to its complexity.
Bristol, Tennessee
A significant fire erupted at Patriot Recycling in Bristol, Tennessee, on Thursday afternoon, June 12, prompting extensive firefighting efforts from multiple regional departments. The fire was reported at approximately 3:06 p.m. at a tire recycling facility located on North Industrial Drive within the Bristol Industrial Park. Fire crews from the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department arrived on the scene to find a large blaze fueled by a substantial volume of burning rubber material.
Firefighters battled the flames throughout the night, with efforts expected to persist into the weekend. The Assistant Chief of Operations revealed that the fire was triggered when workers attempted to remove a hopper that had ignited, subsequently allowing the flames to spread to outdoor heaps of shredded rubber. Firefighting efforts were complicated by the nature of the burning materials, which require additional water supplies, leading to nearby volunteer departments arranging water shuttles to support the operation.
Thick black smoke billowed from the facility, visible from as far away as Kingsport, which is approximately 20 miles from the site of the fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and initial investigations indicated that a malfunctioning machine was the likely ignition source, igniting rubber on the conveyor belt and causing it to spread to surrounding piles.
The Assistant Fire Chief noted the inherent challenges in combating tire fires, which are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Such fires can produce hazardous smoke and residues, causing concerns regarding air quality. Although officials stated that no air quality advisories had been issued, residents with pre-existing respiratory conditions were advised to remain indoors.
The fire has drawn a substantial response from the regional firefighting community, with a total of 14 fire departments involved in the response, including those from Piney Flats, Avoca, and Sullivan County Emergency Management. This large-scale response reflects the seriousness of the situation and the challenges presented by the fire.
Bristol’s Director of Community Relations indicated that extinguishing the fire could potentially be a “multi-day process,” as firefighters continue to work in extreme conditions to manage the ongoing blaze. As a precaution, officials urged the community to avoid the area while firefighting efforts were underway.
Located in the northeast corner of Tennessee, Bristol is situated about an hour and 40 minutes’ drive from Knoxville, adjacent to the Virginia state line. The scale of the fire at Patriot Recycling presents not only challenges for local emergency services but also community concerns regarding safety and air quality.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards associated with tire recycling facilities and the complexities involved in effectively managing fires of this nature. As firefighting crews continue their efforts to bring the situation under control, updates on the conditions at Patriot Recycling will be monitored closely.
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Additional Resources
- WCYB News
- Wikipedia: Tire Fire
- WJHL News
- Google Search: Patriot Recycling Bristol Fire
- Knox News
- Google Scholar: Tire Fire Environmental Impact
- Herald Courier
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tire Recycling
- Supertalk 929
- Google News: Bristol Tire Recycling Fire
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
