Large Industrial Fire at Destroys Three Large Commercial Buildings in Phoenix


ABC15 Phoenix: Fire near Liberty Metals at Interstate 17 and Interstate 10 stack Thursday afternoon in Phoenix.

Phoenix firefighters responded about noon Thursday, February 20, 2014 to a fire an hazmat operation at Beecher Sales, 1321 N 21st Avenue, Phoenix and Mega Metals, 1325 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix.

On scene at the fire were compressed gas tanks with natural gas and propane gas. The tanks and bottles ruptured because of heat expansion of gases. Much flying debris put the firefighters at risk. There were at least six large explosions. Most of the firefighting was a defensive operation. The fire was under control at about 3:15 p.m.

The fire destroyed three large structures in about 20 minutes as the fire moved south along the complex. Ignition may have resulted when welders were working nearby allowed sparks to hit highly flammable titanium shavings. The welders may have been located at Mega Metals.

One worker suffered minor burns and was transported to the County Burn Unit.


ABC15 Phoenix: Viewer-submitted video from the area captured images of the massive flames and thick smoke as an explosion is heard in the background.


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Raw video: Phoenix Fire Dept. briefing on industrial fire.


Video with explosion at Liberty Metals.

Police and Fire Radio Scanners.