PHOTOS: Large Brush Fire Erupts At Tinton Falls Recycling Plant

TINTON FALLS, NJ - A massive brush fire that started at a Tinton Falls recycling plant and spread to neighboring properties took over 15 responding crews nearly seven hours to extinguish, authorities said.

In the early morning hours of May 24, first responders were dispatched to Mazza’s Recycling Plant for an approximately 500-foot-by-500-foot burning pile of mulch, the Wayside Fire Company wrote in a statement. The fire warranted several calls of service for fire and smoke in the area.

Units from Tinton Falls, Howell, Freehold, Manalapan, Colts Neck, Marlboro, Millstone and more responded at the scene to find a rapidly growing brush fire that was spreading throughout the recycling plant's property line and onto nearby properties. As a result of spreading embers from the fire, additional spot fires had started outside of the property, posing a threat to nearby residences with several additional acres of brush burning.

Due to the quick fire spread and windy conditions, the Monmouth County Tanker Task Force was activated and additional resources were requested from the New Jersey Forest Service, Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office Coordinators and Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

Crews eventually established two fill stations - one on site and one off site - for units operating on location. A Structural Protection Task Force of three fire engines and five brush trucks with various state fire service equipment was established and relocated to affected residences in the direction of the nearby fire spread.

After nearly seven hours on location, responding agencies determined that the fire was contained and, ultimately, extinguished.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Tinton Falls Fire Marshal's Office.

Responding agencies included:

• Tinton Falls Fire Company No. 1
• Pine Brook Community Hose Company No. 3
• Northside Engine Co. No. 4
• Wanamassa Fire Company
• Glendola Fire Company
• Wayside Fire Company
• Squankum Fire Company No. 1
• Freehold Township Ind. Fire Company No. 1
• Manalapan Township Fire Company No. 1
• Colts Neck Fire Department
• Marlboro Fire Department District No. 1
• NWS Earle Fire and Emergency Services Station 21
• Adelphia Fire Company
• Robertsville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1
• Morganville Independent Fire Company
• Millstone Township Uniformed Firefighters
• Lincroft Fire Company