Huge Fire At Joliet's BL Duke Scrap Metal Yard: Photos, Video

JOLIET, IL — Crews from the Joliet Fire Department and Lockport Township were battling a large fire off Industry Avenue near the Des Plaines River Friday afternoon.

Scrap metal was on fire at the BL Duke Joliet Industrial Scrap Metal Recycling Yard, creating large plumes of black smoke that could be seen for miles.

The Lockport Township Fire Protection District issued a press release, and so did the Joliet Fire Department. Joliet's noted that the fire was finally under control around 5 p.m.

According to Lockport Township:

At 2:17 p.m., the Lockport Township responded to a reported structure fire at 2 Genstar Lane in Joliet. Fire companies arrived to find an exceptionally large scrap pile burning. Joliet's Fire Department was already working with multiple companies.

Lockport and Joliet are continuing to work together to bring the fire under control.

The property is used for recycling materials, and that is the bulk of the fire load. No buildings were involved. Workers were on scene during the incident, and there are no injuries reported.

The fire was upgraded to a full still, which brought in mutual aid assistance from multiple departments to not only assist on scene but also help cover the rest of the fire district. Due to the area having a limited hydrant system, units on scene are being supported by water tenders from neighboring fire departments.

The fire's cause is undetermined at the time of this press release.