First responders were called to a three-alarm fire Feb. 4 at the Greenstar Recycling facility, 799 Smith Lane, Northampton.

According to Mike Dreisbach, from the Northampton Fire Department, the department received the call for a commercial building fire just before 5:30 a.m. The second alarm was called 5:37 a.m., and the third alarm was transmitted 5:45 a.m. Around this time, a request was made for 10 water tanker trucks to respond due to the need for water above and beyond what the two nearby hydrants could supply.

The tankers were filled off a hydrant located at the Northampton fire station, on Lerchenmiller Drive, by a pumper from the Han-Le-Co Fire Department and later the Tatamy Fire Company. Tankers responded from Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Bucks and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County in New Jersey.

Dreisbach reported special calls for additional fire pumpers and ladder trucks were made throughout the morning. A number of departments responded, allowing for a rotation of first responders.

The fire was declared to be under control around 9:45 p.m., according to Dreisbach.

“Under control” means the fire is no longer a threat to the building and the operation is transitioning from fire control to overhaul operations.

Dreisbach reported operations were scaled back by 11 p.m., and the mutual aid fire companies were released. Northampton’s firefighters maintained on watch overnight.

After the main body of fire was knocked down, hitting hot spots of smoldering debris using ladder trucks was made difficult due to the partially collapsed roof, Dreisbach said. This roof condition, plus debris inside, made it too dangerous for firefighters to enter with a hose line. Demolition cranes arrived the night of Feb. 4 and began to tear down the roof.

Several fire companies were called back around 6 a.m. the next morning to address areas of smoldering fire. Fire units officially left the scene around 2 p.m. Feb. 5.

The fire is reportedly being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police-Troop M, Bethlehem.

Lehigh Valley Hospital provided a heated tent and the North Penn Goodwill Service canteen provided a food and drink truck as well as a restroom truck, according to Dreisbach.

The fire was a large-scale incident that included a response of 15 fire engines, 10 ladder companies, 31 tankers and ambulances from a number of counties. About one million gallons of water were used to douse the fire.

The northeastern part of Northampton Borough was under a smoky haze most of the morning.

Greenstar Recycling, according to its website, focuses on sustainability and innovation, offering a range of products and services aimed at reducing carbon footprints and promoting eco-conscious practices.

At the Feb. 6 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council President Julia Kutzler read a report provided by fire Chief Keith Knoblach. Kutzler reported no one was hurt, and there were no fatalities. In the chief’s report, Kutzler relayed it took more than 33 hours in total to fully put the fire out.

All of council thanked and applauded the effort of the Northampton Borough Fire Department and others who worked to extinguish the fire.

Northampton Mayor Tony Pristash thanked the fire department for its efforts and the 56 fire trucks and personnel who participated in the response. He stressed the importance of mutual aid among communities that help each other at a moment’s notice.