Monday, August 15, 2016 1:00 pm

COLUMBUS, Ohio (From The Columbus Dispatch) -- Columbus firefighters battled a four-alarm fire at a WestRock recycling center on the South Side into Friday night. Officials advised nearby residents to stay indoors and avoid breathing in the smoke.

The fire started at about 4:25 p.m. Friday and spread to multiple spots at the WestRock Recycling Center site at 1015 Marion Road, said Battalion Chief Steve Martin. No injuries were reported as of 8 p.m. At one point, Martin estimated that 3 to 4 acres of materials were burning.

"There is no reason to believe that there's anything special about this smoke" that would make it more toxic than that from a house fire, Martin said. A variety of recyclable materials burned: paper, wood, plastic, rubber, paint and fuel. Neighbors were encouraged to take shelter, close windows and turn off air conditioners, which draw air from outside, he said.

Some residents were leaving the area to avoid breathing the smoke.

Martin predicted that firefighters would be working all night.

"We just have to keep drenching it," he said.

As of about 6 p.m., the Fire Division had more than 100 firefighters, 20 engines, six ladders and four rescues on the scene.