The Avon Fire Department and multiple mutual aid partners extinguished a 3-alarm fire that occurred at a recycling sorting facility on Monday. (Photo courtesy Avon Fire Department) 
The Avon Fire Department and multiple mutual aid partners extinguished a 3-alarm fire that occurred at a recycling sorting facility on Monday. (Photo courtesy Avon Fire Department)
AVON — Chief David Charest reports that the Avon Fire Department and multiple mutual aid partners extinguished a 3-alarm fire that occurred at a recycling sorting facility on Monday.
At 8:20 a.m., Avon Fire received a 911 alarm activation for a fire in a large industrial building located at 40 Ledin Drive. The building is about 75,000 square feet.
Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke coming from the roof of the building. As part of the response, Chief Charest struck second and third alarms to bring additional resources and mutual aid to the scene to help prevent the fire from spreading further.
All workers had evacuated the building prior to firefighters’ arrival.
Firefighter crews began with an offensive attack of the fire, until a portion of the roof began to collapse, prompting a defensive approach.
Firefighters had the fire under control at approximately 10:30 a.m. Crews then conducted extensive overhaul and checked for hot spots.
Two firefighters were transported by mutual aid ambulances to an area hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion. Another firefighter was evaluated on-scene as a precaution.
Mutual aid on-scene and station coverage was provided by the Canton, Whitman, Abington, West Bridgewater, Brockton, Randolph, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, Walpole and Norwood fire departments. The Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center, Norfolk County Control and Department of Fire Services Special Operations Unitalso responded to provide additional resources.
The Department of Environmental Protection and OSHA were notified. Utility companies also responded to shut off power and gas to the building.
The Town of Avon Building Inspector responded to the scene and has since closed the building until further evaluation can be conducted.
Avon Police also responded to the scene and assisted with traffic control.
“Response to the scene required extensive coordination from several departments and EMS personnel,” said Chief Charest. “I extend my many thanks to all neighboring mutual aid partners who assisted our firefighters and our community. With their quick response and teamwork, we were able to prevent this fire from spreading and posing a larger threat.”
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the Avon Fire Department with assistance from the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
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