Massachusetts

Bulk of North Andover Fire Extinguished, Smoke Remains a Concern

A fire official said combating the blaze has been difficult because of all the debris inside the recycling facility

Crews remained at a North Andover, Massachusetts recycling facility Wednesday morning after a raging fire that began Tuesday continued to burn and send smoke into the air. 

North Andover Chief Bill McCarthy said Wednesday the bulk of the fire was out some 12 hours after it began, but advised residents of the town to keep their windows shut due to the smoke. 

The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environmental Protection did air quality tests in communties near the inferno and did not find any hazards, according to McCarthy.

NBC10 Boston meteorologist Michael Page said the wind was blowing the smoke away from North Andover and towards nearby towns such as Haverhill. 

The raging fire was reported at about 6:30 p.m. at Thompson Brothers Industries, where the company takes in construction and demolition debris.

Aerial footage from NBC10 Boston’s Sky Ranger helicopter on Tuesday showed a thick cloud of smoke over the facility. By Wednesday morning, the bulk of the fire was extinguished. Firefighters stayed at the scene to supervise the remaining smoke.

Battling the blaze was been difficult because of the debris in the building.

"The problem is you have large piles," North Andover Fire Lt. Michael Beirne said. "A lot of material piled up and the fire will work its way down in, so now it’s a deep-seeded fire."

Luckily, the blaze was reported after employees had finished for the day. No injuries were reported in connection to the fire but the fire was deemed a total loss.

As crews continue to respond to the fire, residents are advised to stay indoors and to close their windows.

It is unclear what sparked the massive inferno. The investigation is ongoing.

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