Shortly after 10 am on September 3, 2005, firefighters from Union Colony Fire Rescue in Greeley, Colorado were called to a structure fire at Northern Colorado Recycling, 1216 North 11th Avenue, in Greeley.
Prior to arriving on scene, responding units reported a huge plume of black smoke. Once on scene, firefighters mounted a fierce exterior attack of an already deeply entrenched fire, which was rapidly spreading.
The incident commander quickly requested a second alarm and assistance from the nearby Eaton and Windsor Fire Departments.
Eventually 8 engine companies, 1 ladder company, 1 rescue company, and 1 water tender were on scene, for at total of 30 firefighters and 10 support staff working to extinguish the blaze.
Fire departments from the Colorado communities of Evans and Milliken also assisted by covering Greeley firehouses, while Union Colony crews fought the fire.
One firefighter was transported to North Colorado Medical Center after suffering a minor injury.
No estimate of damage is yet available and initial investigation indicates the cause of the fire is accidental.
