LAWRENCEVILLE - (Tuesday, September 7, 2010) Gwinnett County Firefighters responded at 3:17 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, to a report from an employee of smoke and flames coming from a commercial recycling hopper.  The employee was working in a nearby office and was alerted by workers from a neighboring business.  The hopper is located inside an open-air warehouse across the parking lot from the main office. 

Crews found heavy smoke and flames showing from the hopper on arrival.  The fire was contained to the hopper and was held-in-check by the fire sprinkler system.  "The sprinkler activation helped to keep the blaze from spreading to the rest of the business," said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.  Fire crews worked quickly to put the fire out and prevented any further damage.  Hazmat responded to the scene as a precautionary measure, due to the uncertainty of materials involved with any type of industrial or recycling fire.   There was no hazardous run-off and no threat to the community or the environment.         

Firefighters flowed water from two aerial ladder pipes and several hoselines to knock down the bulk of the flames and completely extinguish the fire.  Crews remained at the scene for several hours dousing hot spots and conducting overhaul operations.  The machinery sustained heavy damage due to the blaze.    The cause of the fire is currently undetermined under investigation.          

SP Recycling Corp. is a private recycling company that deals with residential recyclable materials such as plastics, paper, and aluminum.  There were no injuries reported. 

INCIDENT DATE: 09/07/10

TIME DISPATCHED: 3:17 P.M.

LOCATION: 384 Maltbie Street, Lawrenceville

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: Company-15, Engine-20, Squad-20, Hazmat-20, Medic-20, Engine-9, Engine-10, Truck-5, Air-9, MS-1, Battalion-2, Battalion-5, Car-5, Car-11, Arson-2, and Car-10/PIO.