photo by: Dylan Lysen/Lawrence Journal-World

Lawrence-Douglas County emergency vehicles are seen at the site of an early-morning fire at the 12th and Haskell Recycling Center, 1006 E. 11th St., on Friday, July 16, 2021.

Emergency crews responded to two overnight fires in eastern Lawrence this week.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical said in a news release that it responded to a fire in a salvage yard at the 12th and Haskell Recycling Center, 1006 E. 11th St., around 1:58 a.m. Friday.

When firefighters arrived, flames were visible in a storage building that involved a pile of salvage waste, the department said. The firefighters began “defensive attack” because of fuel storage and other hazards in the area. They also used heavy equipment to create breaks in the fire.

The department also notified BNSF Railroad, which initially stopped all train travel near the fire. The department said the railroad has since reopened.

As of early Friday morning, the department said the fire was not under control and was expected to continue into the day. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

LDCFM and Douglas County sheriff’s vehicles were still at the salvage yard around 9 a.m.

•••

photo by: Dylan Lysen/Lawrence Journal-World

A home located at 1208 Connecticut St. is seen on Friday, July 16, 2021. The back of the home was damaged in an overnight fire earlier in the week.

The department also responded to a house fire at 1208 Connecticut St. around 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

When crews arrived, flames were visible from a single-story home. Firefighters used multiple hose lines and were able to get the fire under control by 1:08 a.m.

On Friday, fire damage could be seen on the back of the home, where windows and the side of the house were visibly charred. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the department said.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and was later released. No occupants of the home were injured.