Recycling Fire Contained; 3 Firefighters Hospitalized

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Firefighters brought a 4-alarm blaze under control Wednesday afternoon after a recycling plant fire sent a towering column of smoke over Sacramento, leading to the hospitalization of three firefighters for smoke inhalation.

Fire crews responded to the River City Waste Recyclers on North 7th Street shortly after the fire broke out just before 1:00 p.m., but the flames quickly spread from a pile of tires to a much larger mass of construction waste.

The flames torched scrap wood, plastic and rubber, forcing nearby workers to evacuate the area due to the intense, noxious smoke.

Three firefighters were transported to the hospital after being overcome by the thick smoke. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

A number of workers in the area reported discomfort from exposure to the smoke and police ordered nearby businesses to shelter-in-place.

Workers at the recycling plant said the fire was sparked during a lunch break and spread too quickly for fire extinguishers to handle.

Firefighters contained the flames to the scrap pile Tuesday afternoon, but crews are expecting to remain on scene throughout the night to make sure the smoldering core of the debris heap is fully extinguished.