Industrial Fire Prompts Hazmat Response Near Tyler

**Industrial Fire Prompts Hazmat Response, Shelter-in-Place Near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport**

TYLER, Texas – A significant industrial fire broke out early Friday morning, November 21st, at East Texas Waste & Environmental, located at 14929 CR 421, near the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The blaze ignited in an industrial building on the property, which is known to store various materials including household trash, tires, and potentially hazardous substances.

Due to the nature of the materials, the Tyler Fire Department’s hazardous materials team was immediately called to the scene. Crews have been actively monitoring air quality in the vicinity throughout the morning. The Smith County Fire Marshal's Office is leading the investigation into the incident, with personnel from both the Tyler and Whitehouse Fire Departments responding to contain the large fire.

Massive smoke plumes were visible from the airport and surrounding areas for several hours. As a precautionary measure, residents living nearby were advised to shelter in place, keeping all windows and doors closed and turning off air conditioning systems. Firefighters remained on scene well into the morning, with operations ongoing at 6:30 a.m.

The scale of the incident prompted the Smith County Commissioners Court to hold an emergency meeting at 9 a.m. Friday morning to discuss the possibility of declaring the situation a disaster. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.