NEW ALBANY — Firefighters from 10 departments in Southern Indiana and Louisville battled a large fire at Riverside/QRS Recycling, 1001 Floyd St., along the Ohio River, just west of Interstate 64 in New Albany on Saturday.

The fire began at about 5 p.m. and black smoke could be seen for miles. By early Sunday morning, firefighters had the fire contained and by 8 a.m. were just putting out hot spots.

Large bales of plastic — measuring 5 feet wide and 8 feet in length — were the source of the fire, Capt. Jodie Wilson with the New Albany Fire Department said. However, he said he did not know how the blaze started.

Three New Albany firefighters had to be taken to Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services after being overcome by the heat. Firefighters not only had to deal with the large fire and low water pressure when they first arrived on the scene, but also the extreme heat with temperatures hovering around 101 degrees.

Wilson said once the call went out to other area fire departments, firefighters were rotated in and out of the area. Several tanker trucks from other units brought water in to help fight the blaze Saturday until it was under control. A section of Ind. 111 was closed from Corydon Pike to West Eighth Street in order to tap into a stronger hydrant. Those traveling to the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel had to seek an alternate route. However, that section was reopened early Sunday morning.

“It’s very challenging,” Wilson said of fighting the fire. “The infrastructure on this side of the flood wall is not as built up as it is on the city side of the flood wall. The water supply and mains are smaller. That is why we had to close [Ind.] 111 to get a larger supply line. Plus the heat is a factor.”

Wilson said the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency was at the scene to monitor the smoke and streams around the facility to make sure they were free of dangerous toxins. He said at 9 p.m. Saturday, the smoke coming from the fire was not dangerous, but he asked that residents stay away from the area.

A large TARC bus was also at the scene and used by firefighters to cool off from the extreme heat. The Salvation Army’s disaster canteen was handing out hundreds of bottles of water to firefighters and those at the scene.

“That is what The Salvation Army does when they call us and need help,” said Roxanne Haley with The Salvation Army. “It is just so hot out here. We are just trying to keep fluids in them.”

Wilson said extra firefighters were called in to man the department’s stations.  

There were no other injuries except for the three firefighters who were taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion.