Massive junkyard fire sends black plume of smoke into Philadelphia sky
Video from Chopper 6 showed crews battling the blaze near Sedgley and Erie avenues.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Crews worked all night to put out the hot spots of a massive junkyard fire in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia.
The three-alarm fire broke out around 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sedgley and Erie avenues, sending a black plume of smoke into the sky.
The Philadelphia Fire Department and Department of Public Health sent out the following warning Tuesday evening for residents in the area about potentially unhealthy air quality:
"Residents in the area should take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke. The Health Department recommends doing the following to protect yourself and your family from poor air quality:
- Avoid going outdoors as much as possible.
- If you must go outside, avoid excessive activity, such as jogging or running, and wear a mask, if available.
- Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home.
- Recirculate air with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home."
Multiple vehicles and tires were ablaze inside the junkyard, officials said.
The fire was brought under control at 7:15 p.m.
Fire officials said there were no injuries to report.
The health department continuing to investigate the air quality.
Over 100 firefighters worked for about two hours to contain the three-alarm blaze.
Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said there have been fires at the scrap yard before.
"We don't really know what's in those facilities, so that does make them challenging," said Thiel.
All train traffic in the Philadelphia area was temporarily stopped due to the fire, including Amtrak train routes.
SEPTA said it was also experiencing delays due to the fire. Ridge-Spur service was diverted to Walnut-Locust Station.
"I bought a ticket right before my train and cause I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I bought it, got there on time, the train was delayed," said James Walder of Williamstown, New Jersey.
Delays were consistent across the board at 30th Street Station.
Benjamin Fallick said he's waiting till Wednesday to catch his train to Washington, D.C.
"It's very inconvenient for me. My parents drove me all the way out here and I was waiting here for 30 minutes, and now I have to go inconvenience people by staying there," said Fallick of Voorhees, New Jersey.
Other passengers were stranded at 30th Street for five hours and counting. Chiffona Ray told Action News she was at 30th Street since 4:30 p.m. and waited till 10 p.m. to get on her train to Harrisburg.
