ABC15 Phoenix: Fire near Liberty Metals at Interstate 17 and Interstate 10 stack Thursday afternoon in Phoenix.
Phoenix firefighters responded about noon Thursday, February 20, 2014 to a fire an hazmat operation at Beecher Sales, 1321 N 21st Avenue, Phoenix and Mega Metals, 1325 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix.
On scene at the fire were compressed gas tanks with natural gas and propane gas. The tanks and bottles ruptured because of heat expansion of gases. Much flying debris put the firefighters at risk. There were at least six large explosions. Most of the firefighting was a defensive operation. The fire was under control at about 3:15 p.m.
The fire destroyed three large structures in about 20 minutes as the fire moved south along the complex. Ignition may have resulted when welders were working nearby allowed sparks to hit highly flammable titanium shavings. The welders may have been located at Mega Metals.
One worker suffered minor burns and was transported to the County Burn Unit.
Phoenix firefighters are working a 2nd Alarm fire at 1300 N. 21st Avenue. Traffic in the area is congested. Please find another route.
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) February 20, 2014
ABC15 Phoenix: Viewer-submitted video from the area captured images of the massive flames and thick smoke as an explosion is heard in the background.
Raw video: Phoenix Fire Dept. briefing on industrial fire.
Video with explosion at Liberty Metals.
