An enormous industrial fire has broken out in Kissimmee, Florida, behind a manufacturer of plastic nursery and greenhouse supplies, which is located just a few miles away from Walt Disney World.
Osceola County Fire Rescue personnel have been dispatched to the scene after receiving a call about the fire around 2 a.m. on Thursday morning.
Officials stated that the blaze began behind a plant belonging to Nursery Supplies, Inc. on 2050 Ave. A, where roughly two acres of pallets containing plastic planters were set alight before the flames spread to a five-acre area.
Workers were safely evacuated from the vicinity, and no firefighters or civilians have been injured at this time.
According to officials, the plant itself is not on fire, and first responders have been working to contain the fire’s advancement.
Deputy Chief Jon Haskett of the Osceola County Fire announced on Thursday during a press conference that approximately 75 firefighters and 21 vehicles from Orange County, Osceola County, and Polk County, as well as the Reedy Creek Special Improvement District that encompasses Walt Disney World, are working together to extinguish the fire.
Haskett stated that water and foam are being used by the firefighting teams to bring the flames under control, and that there may have been a propane tank explosion in the area, although all other tanks have been secured.
The fire department anticipates that the fire will be fully contained within an hour or so, after which it will take several hours to clean up the melted plastic and overhaul the area.
The chief said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Due to the significant smoke plumes generated by the burning plastic, which may contain hazardous chemicals, fire officials are keeping a close watch on the air quality.
Chief Haskett advised individuals with respiratory problems in the region to stay indoors for the time being.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Hazmat teams are present on-site and have reported no evidence of harmful materials being released at this time.
The nursery supplies plant, located approximately 13 miles from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is urging residents to avoid the area and use alternate routes as needed.
