Homes evacuated due to 2-alarm fire from debris pile at recycling center in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Some homes in St. Petersburg were evacuated Thursday afternoon due to a two-alarm fire at a recycling center, according to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

A fire was reported at abut 1:55 p.m. at Aceros America along 30th Avenue North, officials said. The fire started in a large debris pile at the back of the facility.

Residents in the Ponce De Leon neighborhood were evacuated due to a large amount of smoke. Roadways are closed from Morris Street to 28th Street and 30th Avenue to 26th Avenue, fire officials said.

Employees at the facility, who tried to use a fire extinguisher at first, were also evacuated.

Crews said the fire also impacted some power lines, and Duke Energy has been notified.

Residents are reminded to sort their debris before taking it to a facility.

No other details were immediately available.

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