Trucker calls 911 after seeing fire ignite at recycling center

UPDATE

IDAHO FALLS -- After a fire ignited at a recycling center in Idaho Falls, firefighters may monitor the debris for a couple of days.

Several engines and brush fire trucks rushed to the scene at Western Recycling located at 1020 Denver Street around 12:50 p.m. The blaze threatened structures as falling embers fell on neighboring fields, igniting small fires.

Idaho Falls Fire Department spokeswoman Kerry Hammon tells EastIdahoNews.com that because the fire ignited on the compressed cardboard bales, firefighters may need to monitor the debris for several days.

"There are forklifts helping to separate the cardboard which will help," Hammon says.

A trucker, Justin Wadsworth, was picking up a load at the recycling center when he saw two of the bales of cardboard ignite.

"I dropped what I was doing and ran in the building yelling 'fire, fire,'" Wadsworth said. "Nobody was around because they all went to lunch, so I called 911."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS -- The Idaho Falls Fire Department is battling a significant brush and debris fire at a local business.

Fire department spokeswoman Kerry Hammon reports the fire began at about 12:50 p.m. at Western Recycling at 1020 Denver Street in Idaho Falls.

It's not clear how the fire got started, but it appears to be primarily burning large amounts of cardboard.

Hammon said nearby structures are threatened, but firefighters are working to put out the fire.

EastIdahoNews.com will update this article as more details are released.