Fire crews from 11 towns are responding to a major fire at Calamari's Recycling, 20 Dump Road, Essex. The Essex Fire Department is receiving assistance from Old Saybrook, Deep River, Chester, Westbrook, Clinton, Haddam, Killingworth, East Haddam, Madison, and North Madison fire departments.

Preliminary reports indicate that the fire began in a shed on the property. Fire personnel are currently working on a fire consuming plastics, wood, and paper in the facility's recycling building. No injuries of firefighters or civilians have been reported.

The fire was called in by a witness at about 3 p.m. today. In addition to tapping into hydrants, crews have been pumping water from a Kelsey Hill Road pond - one 3,000 gallon pumper truck from Westbrook had already filled six times. The Connecticut Water Company has issued an alert to its Deep River, Essex and Chester customers, warning that customers might experience low water pressure or discolored water until the fire is under control.

Officials on site expect the burn to continue into the evening.

State Police have closed exit 4 on Route 9 northbound. Route 154 between Centerbrook and Kelsey Hill Road in Deep River. State DOT crews are spreading salt and sand on Route 154 to limit icing from water spilling from the site.

Calamari Recycling Co., Inc., is a metals recycler serving Connecticut and Rhode Island. In addition to metal recycling, the Essex plant also accepts materials ranging from appliances and asphalt to flooring (carpet, wood, linoleum), non-asbestos insulation, masonry, plastic, and wood, including painted, treated, coated, engineered lumber and wood products.

-Karena Garrity