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The cause of the fire is not known at the moment, but the flames are burning at a local tar plant, according to CBS News.
"Multiple explosions" were generated by the fire, AZ Family reported. Fire officials also stated that multiple storage tanks were destroyed.
#Breaking - MASSIVE Hazmat fire burning in Phoenix - propane tanks going up at 18th Ave & Broadway. #12News pic.twitter.com/T5lFiwqRIT
— 12 News - Stacey (@Stacey12News) September 9, 2015Additionally, fire officials said barrels have flown through the air as projectiles, according to local ABC 15.
Large plumes of black smoke can be seen rising into the air and are visible for miles.
We have just heard several explosions at site of this fire at 19th Ave. and Broadway #fox10phoenix pic.twitter.com/ofvlQDAHYY
— Steve Krafft (@SKrafftFox10) September 9, 2015Located near 19th Avenue and Broadway, the fire has also spawned fireballs that have spouted from the smoke every few seconds, AZ Family reported.
Local businesses have been evacuated by the fire department in response, and people have been told to steer clear of the area.
Giant fire on the Southside of Downtown Phoenix #dtphx pic.twitter.com/d2uSrs07u3
— Anthony Rodriguez (@newantt) September 9, 2015At least 40 firefighting units have been deployed to battle the flames, according to the Arizona Republic.
Twenty hazardous material officials are also at the scene, the fire department said.
Industrial fire in south Phoenix causes explosions, barrels flying as "projectiles" - http://t.co/iQnyOznZDd pic.twitter.com/QvwOT3dS4X
— AZ Family (@azfamily) September 9, 2015
Comment: Fires like these are becoming more common. Last month there was an explosion at a petrochemical factory, in east China's Shandong Province, triggering a massive fire. Other explosions occurred at a Shandong chemical plant and in the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin.