Major scrap yard fire in Joliet extinguished after more than 20 hours

Limited access to water is hampering firefighters’ efforts to battle the massive blaze at the Joliet scrap yard

A massive fire at the BL Duke scrapyard in Joliet on Friday prompted a multi-agency response, with firefighters struggling with limited water supplies.

JOLIET, sick. – A huge fire at a Joliet scrap pile that lasted more than 20 hours has been extinguished.

The fire started around 2:17 p.m. Friday at BL Duke – Joliet Public Scrap Metal Recycling Yard, located at 2 Genstar Lane, and was extinguished just before 11 a.m. Saturday.

Fire officials reported the fire involved a large scrap yard containing metal, wood and possibly some plastic. The fire was over an acre in size and 15 meters high. No hazardous materials were involved, officials said.

The air quality was also not affected by the fire.

A major fire breaks out at the Joliet scrap yard (FOX 32 )

Crews from multiple fire departments battled the flames throughout the night. Initially, firefighters had limited access to water.

“The initial water supply was a coordination of mutual aid tankers, but later the only water supply was obtained directly from the Des Plaines River,” Lockport Fire Chief John O’Connor said in a news release.

Bristol Kendal Fire Protection District, Elwood Fire Protection District, Plainfield Fire Protection District and several others assisted in the firefighting efforts.

No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Limited access to water is hampering firefighters’ efforts to battle the massive blaze at the Joliet scrap yard

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