Scrap metal pile catches fire in southeast Colorado Springs

A pile of old refrigerators and dishwashers caught fire at a recycling facility in southeast Springs Monday.

Flames and thick smoke were visible from a distance as firefighters attacked the blaze at the EVRAZ Recycling on 2690 E. Las Vegas St.

Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Brian Vaughn said firefighters got the call at 3:30 p.m. about a trash pile fire.

"When we arrived, we found out a majority of the pile is metals, household metals like washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc."

The nature of the fire made fighting it more challenging, Vaughn said.

"With the use of heavy machinery, we were able to pull the pile apart and start extinguishing the deep-seated parts of the fire. With metals, fires burn so hot it takes copious amounts of water, and we were able to secure a hydrant and use the ladder truck from an aerial for about 1,000 to 2,000 gallons per minute on the fire."

A brush truck was sent north "investigate and protect from possible airborne embers," the fire department tweeted.

No injuries were reported. It took about an hour to get the fire under control.

It's not known what started the fire.