CLEARWATER, Fla. – A fire broke out at a scrap metal recycling facility in Clearwater Friday afternoon.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue and surrounding agencies are currently on scene at Trademark Metals Recycling on Gentry Drive. It erupted around 12:12 p.m

Public safety officials said this fire was caused by equipment debris from recent hurricanes. They added that the fire will burn for a “long time.”

Officials reminded residents that hazardous materials must be disposed of properly. Residents can bring hazardous chemicals and items to Pinellas County Garbage Collection for proper recycling and disposal. Residents can collect materials at the Household Hazardous Waste Center at 2855 109th Ave. N. deliver in St. Petersburg.

Large lithium-ion batteries affected by the storm, such as car batteries, lawn mower batteries and e-bike batteries, must be disposed of through a private recycling company.

The county also hosts household chemical collection events at 29582 US 19 N., Clearwater, on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.