A massive fire at the Tires to Green Recycling Center in Weld County Colorado devoured over seven acres before firefighters from 12 different companies were able to get the blaze under control. In addition, an air tanker assisted in battling the large blaze. The tire recycling plant is located near the northern Colorado communities of Fort Lupton and Platteville.
The major elements of the inferno were extinguished after about two days around the clock efforts by the firefighters. Crews remained at the multi-acre site after the primary blaze was extinguished to deal with ongoing flareups.
The fire resulted in a thick, black plume of smoke that rose and spread over the county and beyond. Investigation into the causes and consequences of the fire have only just begun. What is known is that the fire started when equipment at the site ignited. As of this time, investigators have not ascertained how the equipment caught fire in the first instance.
Within a short time after the equipment ignited, the fire spread to neighboring tires. Ultimately, the blaze engulfed multiple tire piles at the premises and spread across more than seven acres. No one was injured at the facility. With that said, a very real issue exists as to whether firefighters or people in the surrounding community could be harmed as a result of exposure to toxic fumes emitting from the blaze at the tire recycling plant.
The stark reality is that uncontrolled tire fires like the one in Weld County, Colorado, result in the release of some potentially terribly hazardous toxins. Investigators have yet to release information about the level of contaminants that may have spread from the tire recycling plant in northern Colorado. With that said, investigators and analysts will be focused on the level of dangerous toxins that include:
- Carcinogenic particulates
- Sulfur oxides
- Nitrogen oxides
- Volatile organic compounds
- Carbon monoxide
- Benzene
- Hydrogen chloride
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Chromium
Exposure to these chemicals can result in short-term and long-term health consequences. For example, chromium is the chemical that caused deadly cancer that was the subject of the popular film starring Julia Roberts entitled Erin Brockovich. The other chemicals in the mix are also terribly harmful and can have serious and even fatal consequences.
Health issues associated with exposure to the chemicals in a smoke plume like the one spewed from the Colorado tire recycling plant fire can arise in one of three ways. First, people can end up injured by exposure to the smoke plume itself. Second, chemicals from the smoke plume can end up contaminating water which ends up injuring people. Finally, the chemicals can end up in the soil, harming people in a number of different ways over an extended period of time.
This was the second time the Colorado recycling plant went up in flames. The first time the blaze spread to over 30 acres. The prior fire was thought to be caused by lightening. Representatives of the tire recycling company made a comment that their prior experience with a tire fire provided them guidance with fighting such a blaze. What they have not said is whether they implemented any controls and protections following the first fire at the facility to reasonably protect against another blaze.
If you or a loved one are injured because of exposure to the aftermath of an industrial accident like the Colorado tire recycling plant fire, you need to protect your important legal rights. The first step in doing so is scheduling an initial consultation and case evaluation with an industrial accident injury lawyer from The Doan Law Firm.
During an initial consultation you can learn more about your legal rights. In addition, we’ll answer any questions you may have about your injuries, your rights, and seeking justice in your case. Our industrial accident injury attorney team is committed to fighting to ensure our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.
You can contact our nationwide law firm any time of the day or night by calling (800) 349-0000. There is no charge for an initial consultation with an industrial accident injury lawyer from our firm. The Doan Law Firm never charges an attorney fee unless we win for you.