RIVERVIEW, Fla. — A second fire broke out at the Mosaic phosphate plant in Riverview on Tuesday after the first fire was put out only a day before.
The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said they arrived at the plant at 8813 US Highway 41 in Riverview around 10:36 a.m. According to officials, the extreme heat of yesterday's fire, coupled with the wind conditions, caused a brush fire to break out at the same location.
Fire Rescue said polyethylene pipes caught on fire, but flames never threatened the plant or any structures.
Crews have extinguished the fires but are watching for hotspots overnight.
"As the fire department stressed last night, there were no hazardous materials, no chemicals involved. People should not be concerned about environmental impacts. It was all held locally on site," said Jackie Barron, Public Affairs Manager with Mosaic.
One person, an HCFR firefighter, was transported from the scene in stable condition.
On Monday evening, firefighters were dispatched to the plant around 5:47 p.m. when they received reports of the first brush fire on the property. HCFR said the fire was rapidly expanding due to the high winds and also involved the high-density polyethylene pipes.
Firefighters used water tanker shuttles to supply the water needed to fight the fire. HCFR said there were no injuries and no threats to public safety.
