A massive fire at a Boston construction waste recycling center, which spread smoke across much of the city, was finally put out Monday morning after burning for nearly 24 hours. The fire, which broke out around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at the ReSource Roxbury facility on Girard Street, prompted a large-scale response from emergency crews.

Boston Fire Commissioner Paul Burke expressed concerns about the fire potentially burning for days due to the highly combustible construction materials inside the facility. Although no one was inside at the time, 150 firefighters were called in to combat the flames, which posed significant safety risks. Three firefighters were later hospitalized for undisclosed reasons.

Burke described the fire as dangerous, noting that the construction debris inside the building could include hazardous materials such as lithium batteries. "Hazards are unlimited," Burke stated, explaining that the dense piles of debris could burn for days, making it impossible to send firefighters inside to move the material. Firefighters instead relied on drones to monitor the fire's heat, while holes were cut in the building’s metal walls to get hoses inside.

Air quality in the surrounding neighborhood was also a concern, with the fire department testing the air and advising residents to close windows and doors. No evacuations were necessary, but the Boston Public Health Commission urged people to turn off their HVAC systems to prevent smoke from entering their buildings.

ReSource Roxbury, which has been a part of the community for over a decade, primarily serves the construction industry, recycling concrete, metal, and wood debris. The facility does not accept hazardous materials. CEO Jack Canty expressed gratitude that no one was injured, acknowledging that the fire caused significant damage and that cleanup efforts would be extensive.

Sue Sullivan, the executive director of the Newmarket Business Improvement District, called the fire a major setback, highlighting the importance of the facility in recycling construction waste. The fire caused an estimated $4 million in damage, and while the building was gutted, the fire did not spread beyond the main structure.

The ReSource Roxbury team is working with the Boston Fire Department to ensure the site is secure and to assess the next steps for recovery.

Originally reported by Mike Toole, Penny kmitt, Samantha Chaney in CBS News.