HUDSON, FL - On Friday, April 4th at 4:38 P.M., Pasco County Fire dispatched Engine 20 and Tanker 20 for an outside fire at the Ramm Recycling Plant on County Line Rd. While en route, a large black loom up could be seen for miles.

Engine 20 reported a large column of smoke, and Bat 1 and Engine 39 were added to the run. On arrival, Engine 20 had a large scrap pile on fire with an enormous amount of black smoke and fire. Engine 39 arrived on scene, tagged a hydrant out on the street and laid in to Engine 20.

The fire was very difficult to control with hand lines, so Ladder 9 was called at 5:14 P.M. Within moments, there was another call for the Tower Ladder (Truck 1) to the scene. At this time with the pile still burning and smoke seen for miles away, additional companies were called to assist.

Once the two trucks arrived and went to work using the ladder pipes, the fire was starting to get knocked down. It took about 45 minutes to bring the pile under control. Some companies stayed on scene until around 10:00 P.M. making sure it was all under control and pick up of the lines was run.

According to officials, the fire may have been caused by a lithium battery in the pile.