Firefighters Douse Intense Opa-Locka Junk Yard Fire
OPA-LOCKA (CBSMiami) – A massive junk yard fire that burned more than 100 vehicles in Opa-locka Monday afternoon was extinguished by firefighters.
The intense fire burned at a junk yard located at 12750 Cairo Lane.
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In video from Chopper 4, dozens of vehicles, stacked one on top of the other, could be seen burning in the flames.
"Initial reports indicate that we had a welder on scene, working, welding something and the fire ignited and quickly spread throughout the various cars they had there," said Capt. Rafael Bartoli with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
A plume of thick, black smoke could also be be seen billowing high into the sky.
Miami-Dade Firefighters put the two-alarm fire out in about an hour.
On the ground, firefighters had to move other junk vehicles out of the way to get through to the fire.
"So we basically had to fight the fire from the two neighboring yard companies," added Capt. Bartoli.
The fire's thick black smoke created a visibility concern.
"You never know because you never know what's inside these cars once they come into the junkyard," explained Capt. Bartoli. "They're supposed to be emptied of all their fluids but that hardly ever happens."
At least 40 firefighters were needed to battle the fire.
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