Firefighters are responding to a massive industrial fire in Kissimmee, Florida, that broke out behind a manufacturer of plastic nursery and greenhouse supplies, just a few miles away from Walt Disney World.
Osceola County Fire Rescue officials said they responded to a call that came in around 2 a.m. Thursday morning about a fire behind a Nursery Supplies, Inc., plant at 2050 Ave. A. Officials said about two acres of pallets that had plastic planters on them were set ablaze before spreading into a five-acre inferno.
No firefighters or civilians have yet been harmed as workers were evacuated from the area. The plant itself is not ablaze and first responders have worked to slow the fire’s progress, officials said.
At a press conference Thursday, Deputy Chief Jon Haskett with Osceola County Fire said about 75 firefighters and 21 vehicles from Orange County, Osceola County, and Polk County are working to put the fire out, with assistance from the Reedy Creek Special Improvement District that houses Walt Disney World.
Haskett said fire crews are using water and foam to get the fire under control. He added that there was likely a propane tank explosion inside the area, but all other tanks have been secured.
The fire is expected to be fully contained within the next hour or so, and the nit will take several hours to overhaul the area and deal with a large mess of melted plastic, the fire department said. The chief said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Images captured by Fox 35 Orlando show billowing smoke rising into the air.
Fire officials said they are monitoring the air quality because of the large plumes of smoke potentially containing hazardous chemicals from the burning plastic. Chief Haskett recommended that individuals with breathing issues in the area remain inside for now. Hazmat and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are on the scene and reporting no release of hazardous materials at this time. (SOURCE)
