Large scrapyard fire burns in Hillsborough County, two firefighters hospitalized

Crews work to contain scrapyard fire

Firefighters in Hillsborough County battle a three-alarm scrapyard fire that sent a firefighter to the hospital on Thursday. FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Firefighters in Hillsborough County are battling a three-alarm scrapyard fire that sent two firefighters to the hospital on Thursday.

What we know:

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue says more than three dozen units responded at around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday to Liberty Recycle at 5207 St. Paul St. in the Palm River-Clair Mel area.

The fire sent large plumes of smoke hundreds of feet into the air as crews continue to fight the flames into the afternoon hours. It has taken all day to put it out, because scrapyards have a mixture of materials for hotspots to hide. 

HCFR says two firefighters went to the hospital after showing signs of heat exhaustion and both are listed in stable condition.

Officials say the fire is not threatening any other buildings.

What they're saying:

"It was in short order that we could see this column from a distance, and we knew we were going to be busy tonight," said Rob Herrin, chief of public information for HCFR.

Smoke billowed for miles as Hillsborough County firefighters tapped hydrants to shoot water from the tops of ladders. 

"We just don't know exactly what we're fighting," said Herrin. "There's a lot of metal, there's rubber from tires, there is, who knows what?"

Dig deeper:

Officials said the dry and hot conditions make it even tougher. They first had to cool tanks of diesel fuel that were on site so they didn't explode. 

As the day wore on, firefighters brought in heavy machinery to try to begin moving heavy scrap that was blocking them from getting water on the source of the fire. Only once it's out will they be able to determine what caused this.

"Our fire investigations unit, once it's safe to do so, they're gonna start that process," said Herrin. "They've actually started that process just by interviewing people that have I've seen it, and then they'll get to the root of the fire."