by Doug Auer
A three-alarm blaze broke out in a Travis paper plant this afternoon, sending smoke across the North Shore.
It took an estimated 33 FDNY units and 138 firefighters 3 1/2 hours to extinguish the stubborn blaze at Pratt Industries, 4435 Victory Blvd.
Five people reportedly suffered minor injuries, three of whom were transported to area hospitals, a fire spokesman said.
The inferno began at about 5:40 p.m. in stacked bales of paper, measuring 400 feet by 400 feet, according to fire officials.
The cause of the fire -- which consisted of predominantly heavy smoldering -- is still being investigated.
Also responding to the scene were personnel from the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Environmental Protection and Sanitation Department.
A command post was established just inside the paper recycling plants entrance.
Callers to the Advance reported driving through smoke as it wafted over the West Shore Expressway near the Victory Boulevard exit.
The fire was brought under control at 9:15 p.m., however Fire Department operations continued at the site another few hours.
Firefighters last battled a three-alarm blaze at the plant on March 21, 2005.
That fire also took more than three hours to place under control.
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