News Summary
A significant fire broke out at the Patriot Recycling tire facility in Bristol, Tennessee, causing a large plume of smoke visible from miles away. Firefighters responded quickly, but faced challenges due to the nature of the burning rubber materials. Multiple emergency services collaborated to tackle the blaze and ensure public safety. Traffic congestion was reported as roads were closed. The cause of the fire is under investigation while agencies manage the aftermath of the incident.
Bristol, Tennessee Experiences Large Fire at Tire Recycling Facility
A significant fire erupted at the Patriot Recycling tire facility located on North Industrial Drive in Bristol, Tennessee, on Thursday afternoon. The fire was reported shortly after 3 p.m. and firefighters arrived on site approximately six minutes later.
A large black plume of smoke from the blaze was visible from as far away as 20 miles, affecting visibility across Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia. Emergency response teams from both cities, alongside about 10 other local agencies, quickly mobilized to address the fire.
The fire originated when workers attempted to remove a hopper that had caught fire. This incident triggered flames to spread outdoors and ignite shredded rubber, which was piled up at the back of the facility. The rubber shavings intensified the fire, producing a dense cloud of dark smoke.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions due to the type of fire burning through the rubber materials. To control the situation effectively, they utilized heavy equipment to break up the rubber piles, allowing better access to the flames. The Bristol Tennessee Fire Department noted that the water flow from the hydrant system was insufficient for the scale of the fire, leading to the need for an additional water supply.
In response to this challenge, multiple volunteer fire departments, including those from Avoca, Bluff City, and Goodson-Kinderhook, assisted by running a water shuttle using drop tanks. The collaboration between local fire departments was critical in combating the blaze under such extreme conditions.
Sullivan County Emergency Management Director Jim Bean noted that there were no immediate concerns regarding air quality due to the smoke or water quality from any runoff produced by the fire. Although cooler temperatures and cloud cover could cause the smoke to drift lower as the situation progressed, the smoke was rising into the air during the afternoon hours.
As emergency personnel worked diligently to control the fire, North Industrial Drive and other adjoining roads were closed to ensure public safety. Traffic congestion was reported on Weaver Pike due to the ongoing response efforts at the scene.
While the immediate situation posed a significant challenge for firefighters and emergency responders, the cooperative response from various departments exemplified community resilience in the face of unintended disasters. The ongoing investigation into the fire’s cause and the extent of damage caused by the blaze will likely follow as cleanup efforts commence.
Further information will be released as the situation develops and agencies continue to manage the aftermath of the fire and assess the facility’s condition.
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Additional Resources
- WCYB News
- Wikipedia: Tire Recycling
- Supertalk 929 News
- Google Search: Patriot Recycling Bristol Fire
- WCYB Local News
- Google Scholar: Tire Recycling Fire Safety
- WJHL News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- WDBJ7 News
- Google News: Industrial Fires Tennessee
