UPDATED: Firefighters battle massive blaze at Santa Fe Springs recycling center

SANTA FE SPRINGS >> A massive and stubborn fire erupted at a Santa Fe Springs recycling center Thursday afternoon and burned through the night, authorities said.
The fire was first reported about 6:20 p.m. at a recycling center in the 14000 block of Marquardt Avenue, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Cheryl Sims said.
“We received a report of a large outdoor yard fire, with a structure involved,” Sims said.
The business recycles paper and cardboard goods, said Downey Fire Department Capt. Eric Danieri.
AR-140529452Firefighters from throughout the area rushed to assist as the intense five-alarm fire tore its way through the facility, fueled by bales of cardboard, according to Battalion Chief Bruce English of the Downey Fire Department, which handles radio communications for the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department and other nearby agencies.
The fire stubborn fire continued burning beyond midnight and into Friday morning, officials said.
“We increased out personnel due to fire activity and poor access to the cardboard box bales,” English said.
The cardboard bales burned with increasing intensity as they broke apart, presenting more surface area to catch fire.
“It’s very manpower intensive,” English said of the firefighters’ efforts.
Shortly after midnight, firefighters were using a skip loader to remove burning debris, officials said. A tanker truck was summoned to the scene to refuel the fire engines.
More than 100 firefighters from the Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles County, Downey, Montebello, La Habra Heights, Vernon and Compton fire departments worked to drown the flames.
EP-140529452No injuries were initially reported to civilians or firefighters, English said.
Southern California Edison officials were summoned to the scene to assist with downed power lines, and firefighters requested the trains on a nearby set of tracks at Rosecrans Avenue and Marquardt Street be shut down as the fire continued to burn. Traffic was shut down on both Rosecrans Avenue and Marquardt Street.
Metrolink officials reported Line 608 to Oceanside was stopped at the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Station, and 91 Line 707 was stopped at the Fullerton Station, Buses were used to bring passengers to their ultimate destinations.

VIDEO and PHOTOS by Keith Durflinger

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