A fire of unknown origin spread over about a half-acre of piled paper and cardboard bundles at an East County recycling yard Tuesday, sending thick black smoke into the air, charring a next-door duplex and leaving a firefighter injured.
The blaze in the 3800 block of Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley erupted about 6:30 a.m., according to Cal Fire.
Authorities evacuated four homes on nearby Helix Street and blocked off traffic lanes in the area while crews worked to extinguish the flames, which consumed collected recyclable materials being stored underneath a large metal- roofed awning structure without walls, said Issac Sanchez, a fire captain with the state agency.
A firefighter injured by a falling stack of cardboard was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted in undisclosed condition.
Sheriff’s investigators were called in to determine the cause of the blaze, which was brought under control within two hours.
Fire crews were expected to remain at the recycling yard into the evening hours, continuing to douse hot spots, according to Sanchez.
–City News Service