UVALDE, Texas -- A recyling plant was still burning Wednesday after it caught fire Tuesday afternoon.
The fire started shortly after 1 p.m. at the recycling plant in Uvalde, about 79 miles west-southwest of San Antonio.
The flames were first spotted on the west side of the facility located near the city of Uvalde's northwestern edge. Authorities said they let the flames burn themselves out because the material burning inside could have become dangerous when in contact with water.
It is not yet known what started the fire, but fire officials say all five workers inside the facility got out safely.
The facility is reported to be storing a lot of plastic, metal, paper, and carpet. It used to be an old vegetable processing plant. Firefighters noted the weather cooperated with their efforts to contain the blaze.
Smoke from the flames streamed hundreds of feet into the cloudless sky.
SkyNews 4 helicopter pilot Scott Elliott said the plume could be seen as he lifted off from Stinson Airport on San Antonio's South Side.
At the Helena Chemicals business down the road, warehouse manager Sharon Schmidt said the smoke was "real, real black."
Firefighters told News 4 WOAI Wednesday morning the roof of the facility had collapsed, but that most of the fire was contained. They said they expect the fire to be out by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
