At least seven peopel have been hospitalized, and local residents are being advised to shelter in place, as firefighters seek to control a two-alarm fire at a metal scrap yard along Richmond Highway in Lorton.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched just after 1 p.m. to the Davis Industries property at 9920 richmond Highway for an outside fire, according to scanner traffic.
Video of the fire captured by traffic cameras## Large Fire at Fairfax County Recycling Facility
On October 14, 2025, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded to a meaningful fire at the recycling facility located at 9060 richmond Highway in Alexandria, Virginia. The fire, which involved a large pile of recycled materials, generated a considerable smoke plume visible throughout the area.
### Incident Details
Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 4:26 PM and arrived to find a well-involved fire within a large stockpile of recyclable materials. According to a [tweet from Fairfax County Fire/Rescue](https://twitter.com/ffxfirerescue/status/1978188701684363393), crews initiated a defensive attack, focusing on containing the fire and preventing its spread to adjacent structures.
UPDATE – 9060 Richmond Hwy, Recycling Facility Fire. Crews remain on scene working to contain a large fire involving a pile of recycled materials.Heavy smoke in the area. Avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/OkBM2fvBgx
– Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) October 14, 2025
The fire presented challenges due to the nature of the materials involved. Recyclable materials,especially paper and plastics,can burn intensely and are difficult to fully extinguish. Firefighters utilized heavy equipment to separate the burning materials and apply water and foam to suppress the flames.### Smoke Conditions and Public Safety
The fire generated significant smoke, prompting a shelter-in-place advisory for residents in the surrounding areas. fairfax County Fire and Rescue urged residents to close windows and doors and avoid outdoor activities. A [Facebook post from fairfax County Fire/rescue](https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyfirerescue/posts/pfbid0ja8BahbHR2ih33f58d4HVkgfogpfKTCYASqZW3YfQT6LjnEd9eW5eGWNfHq5EXJUl) provided updates and safety facts to the public. Authorities also cautioned drivers to avoid the area due to reduced visibility.
### Current Status & Investigation
As of 8:30 PM on October 14, 2025, crews continued to work to fully extinguish the fire and overhaul the site.The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office.
### Key Takeaways
* A large fire occurred at a recycling facility in Alexandria, Virginia, on October 14, 2025.
* Firefighters successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures.* Heavy smoke prompted a shelter-in-place advisory for residents in the surrounding area.
* The cause of the fire is under investigation.This situation highlights the inherent fire risks associated wiht large stockpiles of recyclable materials. Recycling facilities must implement robust fire prevention and suppression measures to protect both their employees and the surrounding community.