Columbus Fire Officials Expect To Spend Weekend At Scene Of South Side Blaze

South side residents near a large commercial warehouse that caught fire Friday afternoon and sent thick black smoke billowing into the air have been asked to stay inside, shut their windows and doors and avoid breathing in the smoke. Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Tracy Smith says the smoke is likely toxic because recycled plastic is burning. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials are expected to check the air quality and the nearby water supply.  The smoke could be seen as far away as Ross County, Marysville, Licking County and points beyond. An estimated 100 people were working at Phoenix Recycling on Marion Road when the four-alarm fire started. The blaze was contained after several hours but Smith expects firefighters to be working through the weekend to prevent pop-up fires caused by recyclable materials that may still be smouldering. No injuries are reported and the cause of the fire is not yet known. Some roads are closed, and power was cut to nearly 23 thousand homes. Columbus-based American Electric Power says fire officials cut power as a precaution, and it will be up to them to decide when to restore service.  Columbus Police closed Marion Road between Parsons Avenue and Lockbourne Road. Rail company CSX closed the tracks south of the plant to rail traffic. Smith says a third to one half of the city's firefighters battled the blaze, as well as firefighters from Franklin and Hamilton Townships.