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Recycling Plant Fire Rages Out-Of-Control In Ontario

ONTARIO (CBSLA.com)  —   A fire at a recycling center in Ontario went to several alarms as plumes of black, acrid smoke could be seen from miles away.

Authorities said the fire was reported at State Street and Bon View Avenue at around 5 p.m.

CBS2's Crystal Cruz was traffic in the area was bumper-to-bumper as as many drivers were distracted by the block-long fire.

 

The fire burned near Ontario Airport but no flights were reportedly rescheduled.

Cardboard, water bottles, wooden pallets and car parts were among the items being consumed in the massive blaze.

An employee says cigarette smoking may have started the fire. He says it's not uncommon for people to smoke on the yard.

ontario recycling center fire
(credit: CBS)

Several trucks in the yard were also engulfed in flames.

Several homes across the street from the fire appeared to also suffer some damage.

One concern was the threat of embers floating to other parts of the city that could ignite more fires in the dry hot weather.

The Ontario fire department showed CBSLA new technology from the sky making it easier for crews on the ground and for teams to watch over the city. "With that infrared we can measure the heat level of the fire," an Ontario fire official said.

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