Crews respond to fire near 16th and Bruce in Menomonee Valley
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A thick black plume of smoke was seen rising from a recycling plant in the Menomonee Valley Thursday afternoon, June 4, in the area of 16th and Bruce around 4 p.m.
Highway cameras picked up the smoke and so did people leaving American Family Field after the Brewers game.
The fire brought a large response, with several Milwaukee firetrucks sent to the scene.
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says metal moving through a shedder can create sparks and the location made it tough for crews to get in and fight the fire.
"This enormous plot of land has what are referred to as private fire hydrants that have never been upgraded or maintained to support real-world firefighting," said Lipski.
Crews couldn't use the hydrants there, so they had to stretch about 2,000 feet of hose just to get enough water to the plant.
The fire department eventually called a third alarm to bring in more equipment.
Chief Lipski says with fires at this plant, it's becoming a familiar problem.
"Everybody in the fire department has been here for a fire at some point," said Lipski. "This is across the river from Potawatomi Hotel Casino, so I'm sure that looks just excellent for those people coming to visit and spend their money here in Milwaukee."
The fire department is still investigating how the fire started.