Fire tears through recycling plant at Port of Tampa

TAMPA, FL - Hillsborough Country Fire Rescue battled a two-alarm fire at a metal recycling plant in the Port Sutton area on Monday morning.

The structure is located south of Causeway Boulevard, west of US 41 on Port Sutton Road and 50th Street

When fire crews arrived about 4:15 a.m., they found a large pile of metal on fire.

Firefighters say there is currently no immediate danger to the public, however, there is fuel present and they are monitoring two large diesel tanks that firefighters are trying to protect from the flames. Earlier reports said the tanks were filled with anhydrous ammonia, but officials say the substance is actually calcium nitrate, a less reactive chemical.

Smoke from the blaze has been spotted miles away from the site.

Explosion-like noises have already been heard and crews are working to keep the fire from explosive materials in the vicinity.

For nearly three hours, the crew has been using water and foam to try and control the fire on the eastern edge of the Hillsborough bay.

The cause of the fire is not yet clear.