Downed power line ignites fire at Texas plastic film storage facility

Houston — A downed power line ignited a fire on exposed plastic film at a Dallas-area storage facility that is expected to burn through at least Aug. 20, authorities have said.

"This is going to be burning late into tomorrow," Bill Murray, Grand Prairie assistant fire chief, said at an Aug. 19 news conference.

The fire ignited at about midnight on Aug. 19 when a power line fell on plastic film in a storage area at Poly America's manufacturing complex, Murray said. The company manufactures trash bags, plastic drop cloths, plastic sheeting, agricultural films used to wrap hay, barrier films and shrink film made from polyethylene, according to its website.

The fire spread throughout the storage area, he said. Firefighters were not able to secure enough foam to extinguish the blaze, but it was contained and is expected to burn itself out.

Murray said that once the fire burns down to "where it's manageable," crews can use front-loaders to break up the debris that is burning.

"We're going to have to clean out the entire section and wet it down with foam," he said. "We're talking maybe 300 yards worth. It's going to be at least a two-day operation out here before it's completely extinguished."

No injuries or damage to buildings were reported.