Crews continue to work putting out hot spots from mulch yard fire in Atco, New Jersey

ATCO, N.J. (WPVI) -- A fire burning at a mulch yard in Atco, Camden County, is about 90% contained, officials said Monday.

The flames broke out around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at 225 Jackson Road. The large response caused some alarm for some neighbors in the area.

Officials say the dry and windy conditions fueled the fire. The fire chief said crews were scrambling because it jumped out of the 15 - to 20-acre facility and into a large field, which borders several houses.

"It's been pretty scary. We were having a nice relaxing day and then all of a sudden, we heard a couple of bangs, cops knocked on the door, we looked outside and there's smoke very close to our house," said Charliann Manny, of Atco, New Jersey.

Officials made voluntary evacuations in the surrounding neighborhoods, knocking on around 50 doors.

Marvin Burkhart was one of the residents impacted. "Smoke was just going straight up into the air. The way the wind was blowing, I thought for sure it was going to hit here, but it never did," he said.

Residents said they felt on edge.

"Kind of like a scary moment, cause you know you're trying to determine what is like necessity and like what's luxuries," said Blake Lazar, of Atco.

Chief Daniel Cormaney, of Waterford Township, said there was a fire there about two years ago, and it took about three days to put out.

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Officials say one very large mulch pile and several small ones are burning.

More than 50 agencies from Camden County, as well as nearby Burlington and Gloucester counties, have been fighting the flames.

Officials are thanking firefighters for preventing it from spreading to the forest and are reminding everyone of fire safety.

"Just try to be safe as for somebody throwing cigarette butts out or having a bonfire in their backyard. Whatever can cause a fire, obviously at this point, it's very dry. It's been windy," said Daniel Cormaney, Waterford Twp. Police.

As residents allow crews to work, they say there is a lot on their minds.

"It's pretty scary, this is my home growing up for 27 years, so it's pretty sad a lot of memories here, so to be in this position it's you know pretty tough," said Manny.

"A lot of emotions, a lot of thoughts are going through your head, it's pretty rushed. The street was filled with police cars and fire trucks," said Lazar.

Jackson Road is closed between Hopewell Road and Anderson Avenue, where the fire is burning.

Camden County officials say air quality isn't great, so they're encouraging families to spend more time indoors.

The New Jersey Fire Marshal will lead the investigation into what caused this fire.