News Summary
A large fire erupted at the Patriot Recycling facility in Bristol, Tennessee, causing a major emergency response. Firefighters faced challenges due to intense heat and a significant blaze involving rubber materials. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported, and all personnel evacuated safely. The firefighting effort strained the city’s water system, requiring assistance from surrounding volunteer fire departments. Air quality is being monitored as toxic smoke poses potential risks. Crews are expected to remain on-site for several days to ensure full containment.
Bristol, Tennessee – A large fire erupted at the Patriot Recycling facility located on North Industrial Drive in Bristol, Tennessee, on Thursday afternoon, June 12, 2025. The fire broke out shortly after 3 p.m., leading to a significant emergency response from multiple fire departments in the area.
Upon arrival at the scene at approximately 3:06 p.m., fire crews encountered a substantial blaze involving a significant amount of rubber materials. Initial reports indicate that the fire ignited inside the building and quickly spread outside due to a conveyor system that transported burning materials to outdoor piles.
Fortunately, no major injuries have been reported related to the incident. Officials from the City of Bristol, including the Director of Community Relations, confirmed that all personnel on-site managed to evacuate safely.
In response to the fire, Sullivan County Emergency Management Director stated that crews utilized large quantities of water to combat the flames. The extent of the firefighting effort strained the city’s water system, necessitating additional supplies from volunteer fire departments through a tanker shuttle. More than a dozen agencies participated in the firefighting response, including the Avoca Fire Department and Bluff City Fire Department.
Firefighters are currently using strategic methods to spread out their efforts and extinguish multiple burning rubber piles surrounding the facility. As they continue to fight the fire, extreme heat conditions are posing challenges to the firefighting teams. These conditions could prolong the effort, with crews remaining on scene for several days to ensure full containment.
City officials are closely monitoring air quality in the vicinity of the incident. While no advisories regarding air quality have been issued from Bristol, Virginia has declared an air quality alert due to potential toxic smoke from the fire. Residents in the surrounding area are advised to stay indoors and avoid the vicinity of the facility to mitigate exposure risks.
Witnesses reported hearing an explosion around the time the fire started and observed a massive plume of black smoke rising over the site, which was visible from as far away as Kingsport, Tennessee. The fire initially caused closures on North Industrial Drive and adjacent roads to facilitate firefighting operations safely.
Fire crews have been working diligently since the fire was reported. The situation remains dynamic, as firefighters assess the burning rubber piles and implement containment strategies amid ongoing challenges from the fiery blaze and extreme temperatures.
As firefighting efforts continue, officials are hopeful for a swift resolution to the emergency but are prepared for the possibility of the fire smoldering overnight. With multiple agencies involved, coordination on-site aims to bring about effective disaster management and ensure the safety of nearby residents and emergency responders.
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Additional Resources
- WCYB News
- Wikipedia: Bristol, Tennessee
- WJHL News
- Google Search: Bristol TN fire
- Knox News
- Google Scholar: Bristol TN fire
- Herald Courier
- Encyclopedia Britannica: fire
- MSN News
- Google News: Bristol Tennessee fire
