VIDEO/PHOTOS: Phoenix fire officials say a sixth alarm fire at a recycling yard near 35th Avenue and Buckeye prompted the largest response in the department's history on June 5.
"I can't remember the last time we had a sixth alarm," said Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller. "We've had a couple two, three alarms in the last couple of months, but this is a big one." The fire was originally a first alarm early Saturday afternoon, but it quickly escalated, maxing out the alarm system and triggering the type of response that would normally only be seen with wildfires.
Residents say that the smoke could be seen from as far as Mesa and Ahwatukee. Meanwhile, fire officials say 150 residential and commercial customers were without power for about 10 hours.