DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - Firefighters have spent hours battling fierce flames after a massive fire broke out at a renewable energy plant in Doral.
More than 50 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of what is currently a four-alarm blaze at the Covanta Energy Plant facility located at 6990 NW 97th Ave., at around 2:20 p.m., Sunday.
“Cloud and just smoke coming out, and we saw the fire trucks rushing in,” said a man who lives in the area.
Doral Police and Miami-Dade Police units were also dispatched.
Hours later, the relentless flames illuminated the night sky, as billows of ash and dark soot blanketed Doral and parts of western Miami-Dade County.
Crews arrived to encounter heavy black smoke and fire coming from the structure.
In a news conference held Sunday night, MDFR Chief Ray Jadallah said the fire appears to have started when some garbage caught fire.
“We’re looking at approximately two football fields’ worth of garbage and trash,” he said.
Jadallah said the flames spread to four of the facility’s 11 buildings.
“We believe the fire kind of originated from a conveyor belt that may have moved some of the trash that was on fire to other parts of the building,” he said.
In a statement, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava advised nearby residents, especially those with respiratory ailments, to refrain from going outside due to the smoky conditions.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking that all residents who live in the area remain indoors and keep their windows closed,” she said.
As of Sunday night, over 200 firefighters remain at the waste-to-energy facility as they continue their efforts to put out the flames from the ground and by air.
Jadallah said they have been able to knock the fire down to two buildings.
Levine Cava said all staff inside the plant were evacuated quickly. No one was hurt.
Jadallah said they are monitoring the wind conditions and have tested air quality two miles downwind.
“Our hazardous materials units are continuing to conduct air monitoring of the area, and they’ve all come back negative,” he said.
Officials prioritized testing the air quality to ensure the safety of the residents.
“All tests have come back clear at this time,” said Levine Cava. “There is no danger to the particulates or matter in the smoke.”
The fire chief also drew comparisons between this fire and the one in late January that sparked at the New World Condominium Apartments in Miami Gardens and left nearly 200 people displaced.
Jadallah said he expects the firefight at the renewable energy plant will continue over the next 48 hours.
“This is going to be a long-term fire,” said Jadallah.
What makes putting out this fire, particularly challenging, Jadallah said, is that every part of the buildings, scaffolding and catwalks is made of sheet metal. In addition, the catwalks that units would normally use are warped, creating difficulties to access.
As the battle continues to heat up, area residents worry about the dangers that may lie ahead.
“We’ve got houses, schools; everything is here in this place, so you don’t know if that could explode one day,” said the man who lives in the area.
Levine Cava said Doral residents can expect notification alerts due to the heavy smoke in the area.
“I am deeply grateful to our brave first responders who, once again, are placing their lives on the line for the safety of our community,” she said in her statement.
Officials have advised those with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors and keep windows shut.
As the 24-hour mark nears on this fire, an update on its condition is set for 3:30 p.m., Monday.
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