The Opp Fire Department was among the 20 agencies that responded to Brantley Fire Department’s call for help fighting a large fire at the Brantley Recycling Center Sunday morning. The fire led to the evacuation of nearby residences.

The Brantley Fire Department was dispatched to the fire at 5:15 a.m. By 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Crenshaw County EMA director Elliott H. Jones notified those within a quarter mile radius of the fire to evacuate.

“On arrival, we found many bails of plastic and buildings filled with plastic burning,” the BFD stated on social media. “Other departments were called in to assist as the fire grew very fast and consumed most all of the property.”

Specialized crews from EPA worked through the night Sunday to extinguish the fire.

Representatives of both the EPA and ADEM were on the scene Sunday to evaluate air quality issues. The Brantley High School gym was opened as a shelter location, and the Dei Center at the Luverne United Methodist Church also offered shelter. By Monday afternoon, all air quality readings were normal.

The EMA director said Monday afternoon that EPA had the fire contained, but would be on the scene another day to ensure that no hazard is left unaddressed.

In addition to OFD, fire departments from Dozier, Luverne, Spring Hill, Glennwood, Rutledge, Rullers Crossroads, North East Crenshaw, Highland Home, Honoraville, Elba, Fort Rucker, and Greenville provided mutual aid.

Also responding were the Alabama Forestry , Brantley Rescue, Brantley police, Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Department of Transportation, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Crenshaw County EMA, Crenshaw County Highway Department, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.