COCOA, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2008) — Firefighters are battling a blaze that broke out Thursday morning at tire recycling firm RMD Americas U.S.A. L.L.C., in Cocoa near U.S. 1.
Authorities have shut down U.S. 1 and other roads near the plant, a city spokeswoman said, but no further information about the fire was available. Persons who answered the phone at RMD Americas and at the Cocoa Fire Department also said they had no further information.
Local media reported that firefighters sought extra sources of water and were checking to see if personnel at nearby Patrick Air Force Base could spray foam on the fire.
According to its Web site, RMD Americas opened for business in July 2005 and is one of very few vertically integrated rubber mulch manufacturers in the U.S. Its products include mulch for landscaping, playgrounds, athletic fields, equestrian tracks, golf courses and industrial applications. The company recycled more than 15 million pounds of scrap tires into various end-use products in 2006, according to the Web site.
RMD also operates plants in Sturgis, Ky., and Plainfield, Conn.