Residents, business owners near South-Central El Paso recycling plant fire on edge
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Officials with the El Paso Fire Department (EPFD) confirmed that a fire that happened Tuesday, May 28 in South-Central El Paso is one of the largest in the city’s history.
Bulk of fire knocked down at recycling plant in South Central El Paso
The fire occurred at a recycling plant at Paisano and Coles. It was originally reported as a Condition 3 before it was upgraded to a three-alarm fire, meaning it was much more serious than originally reported.
The fire prompted the response of nearly 200 firefighters, and as of Wednesday, May 29, fire crews have been suppressing hotspots, although the bulk of the fire has been knocked down and there is no danger of it spreading, according to fire officials.
There were no injuries reported.
This is not the first time this recycling plant has burst into flames. The most recent one happened seven months ago in November 2023.
Residents and business owners in a nearby neighborhood on Ladrillo Place, located just behind the recycling plant, continue to grow concerned because of the frequency of fires at the plant and now the magnitude of the most recent incident.
“We do have to keep an eye on our houses and on their end as well, because there’s nothing that can actually cover between the cardboard boxes on that side and our houses. It’s just a fence. So with the wind, the heat and the fire itself, it just can catch up real quick,” said a resident who did not want to be identified, and recently moved into the neighborhood.
“It started off very far away and it got really close within like 20 minutes,” said Luis Heiras, who just moved his father’s business into the area about a month ago.
“Every time that the wind gusts would come, the blaze would go up higher and we could feel the heat just hitting you in the face. For the houses here in the next street over, it definitely was very concerning. The fire department was going all up and down the streets trying to protect the houses in case it did spread this way” said Heyras.
“It (recycling plant) shouldn’t be here, in the city, there’s already a lot of gas. God has taken care of us, but I’m often afraid,” said Maria Hernandez, a 92-year old resident in the neighborhood.
Fire officials said they will establish a fire watch crew to monitor the scene for the next 24 hours to ensure there is no risk of the fire spreading out again.
Fire marshals are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.
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