Blaze at Calverton recycling facility contained, leftover smoke remains in area

A fire at the recycling facility for Riverhead Town that closed local roads and sent smoke into the area was contained on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. 

Police had closed Youngs Avenue from Osborn Avenue to Old Orchard Road to traffic around 5:05 a.m. after the fire broke out at Crown Recycling Facility at 472 Youngs Ave. in Calverton, Suffolk Fire Rescue and Emergency said. But it was reopened as of 1:30 p.m.

Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said at a 1 p.m. news conference there was no active threat to residents and they could open their windows. Suffolk County FRES and the Riverhead Fire Department had advised residents on Wednesday morning to keep windows closed.

But later Wednesday, Assemb. Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) said in a release: "Residents in the vicinity are advised to keep windows closed and remain indoors as a precautionary measure. The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management has issued alerts to residents within a four-mile radius of the site." 

A heavy smell of burned plastic pervaded the area Wednesday afternoon, and people were encouraged to wear masks.

Water District Superintendent Frank Mancini said firefighters used water from high and low zones, which may cause discoloration in residents' tap water. Residents were advised to let the water run until clear if that happens.

According to the recycling center’s website, employees are licensed and trained to haul and dispose of all types of friable and non-friable asbestos.

State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Peter McGarry said a preliminary investigation found no asbestos on the site. After fire officials give them the green light, they will continue with a full investigation of the site.

 When asked about current air quality, he said: "It's just not part of our emergency response. Again, I do know there are elected officials at the state level reaching out to our federal partners to see if the EPA can provide that technology. I would imagine their technological limits are similar to ours. But again, it's still a developing situation, and we are going to be thoroughly investigating as best as we can." 

A firefighter who had heat exhaustion was treated at the scene, officials said.

 Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard said residential recycling would not be picked up this week but should resume next week. Garbage will be picked up as usual, he said. 

Riverhead Fire Chief Piotr Kurzyna said a call came in around 2 a.m. about a fire at Crown Recycling. Upon arrival, firefighters found all four of the center’s buildings engulfed in flames.

 Fire Marshal Liam Keating said to his understanding the facility did not have smoke detectors. It was unclear if it faces any fire code violations, he said. 

By 10 a.m., the fire was 80% contained, he said. The heavy smoke was clearing but a haze hung over the area.

More than 35 fire trucks and ambulances responded to the scene, including more than 200 firefighters from the Greenport, Southold, Wading River, Eastport, Westhampton Beach, East Moriches, Jamesport and Farmingville departments.

 Earlier, fire trucks could be seen spraying water in a charred building, while heaps of scrap metal, rocks, dirt and garbage sat nearby.

"It had everything from garbage to compostable materials to tanks and fuel," Kurzyna said of the center.

The roof of a structure that held metal was completely burned away.

As the firefighting progressed, Youngs Avenue was immersed in water after firefighters attempted to put out the fire for hours. Fire trucks from various departments still were parked outside the facility, as firefighters walked in and out of the center to rotate. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.