Fire damages Eielson's recycling center

  • Published
  • By Frances Isgrigg and Jeff Putnam
  • 354th Civil Engineer Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A fire erupted in Eielson's recycling center Jan. 18 causing the facility to shut down operations.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the fire began when a piece of metal made it past the magnet area designed to pull metal from the recyclable materials prior to the material going into a large mechanical grinder.

A contract employee attempted to fight the fire but was not able to keep it contained because of the extremely combustible nature of the materials.

Eielson's fire department responded and immediately contained the fire ensuring it did not pose a threat to surrounding facilities.

Although the fire was contained within the facility, it did make it into the roofing material.

The fire continued to smolder through the night within inaccessible compartments of the recycling equipment, as well as within the building's roofing materials.

Throughout the night, fire crews ensured sprinkler systems protected much of the assets within the building. However, the sprinklers were ineffective at protecting the roof which continued to smolder.

Fire fighters remained outside the facility through the night because of hazards associated with falling debris from the burning roof.

Eielson Civil Engineers will determine the extent of damage to the pelletizer and associated costs to make the equipment operational.