Firefighters Control 3-Alarm Fire At Vallejo Scrap Metal Yard
VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- Firefighters were able to control a three-alarm industrial fire on Mare Island in Vallejo, after it burned for several hours Friday afternoon.
The fire took place at Alco Metal and Iron Company at 321 Azuar Drive.
At its height, flames were shooting 50 feet high in the air. A fire investigator told KPIX 5 the fire started in the middle of piles of metal scrap at the recycling yard. Firefighters were able keep the flames from spreading to the nearby warehouse.
A tweet from the U.S. Forest Service said smoke from the fire was visible for miles around.
Fire on #MareIsland view looking north @VallejoFire @SolanoFire #MareIslandFire pic.twitter.com/Wzct4w4g0g
— USFS Fire-California (@R5_Fire_News) August 22, 2014
The burning metal and other debris sent thick black smoke into the air. As evening approached, the fire department decided to call in a hazardous materials team to help put it out and to investigate whether it would cause any harm to people in the area.
The department also asked people in North Vallejo to shelter in place for a time. As of late Friday night, the fire appears to be under control, but fire crews will be at the metal company for the next couple of days to monitor hot spots.
According to the company's website, Alco Metal and Iron Company makes, buys and sells metal for businesses and artists.
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