More Than 100 Cars Go Up In Flames In Massive Junkyard Fire
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - More than 100 firefighters were called in to battle a massive junkyard fire in Opa-locka.
The fire started around 2 a.m. at 3391 NW 127th Street.
More than 100 cars were in the lot, which made for a dangerous situation for firefighters who had to contend with gas explosions among other things. The sound of exploding gasoline tanks were heard as fire consumed the vehicles sprawled around the lot.
"We had over fifteen units dispatched. Our first unit arrival determined that because of the magnitude of the fire, they called it a second alarm fire which called even more units out," explained Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Kirsten Miller.
"We had a large body of fire, flames could be seen a few blocks out, we had limited access and limited water. It was a challenging fire but our crews were able to quickly cut it off and extinguish it," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Christopher True.
Firefighters managed to keep the blaze from spreading to surrounding structures.
Junked cars and trucks contain many flammable materials including tires, rubber trim, fuel tanks, oil; all the stuff a very stubborn blaze is made of. The loss is not estimated yet but junkyard vehicles are valuable for the sum of their parts; engines, carburetors, tire rims and could amount to a pretty penny.
"We lost like 140 cars," according to Ignacio Romero, the owner's son.
Just about the entire inventory of the large junkyard burned to a crisp as nearby residents were advised to stay indoors with their air conditioning air to avoid inhaling potential toxic fumes. It took an hour and a half to get the fire contained.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
