Scrap Yard Fire With Heavy Smoke Sparks In North County

OCEANSIDE, CA — A non-injury fire at an Oceanside scrap yard sent thick plumes of black smoke visible from a nearby freeway, authorities say Tuesday.

Firefighters responded to a fire with "dense, churning black smoke" rising from the Ecology Auto Wrecking Storage site in the 1000 block of West Airport Road around 7 a.m. Monday, according to Oceanside Fire Battalion Chief Lucifer Keener. Within minutes of arrival crews set up hose streams to contain the blaze from impacting nearby businesses and the adjacent hillside.

"The site operator identified the metal pile as containing mostly recyclable household appliances and other light industry iron and aluminum equipment," Keener said.

Crews utilized diking techniques and oil-collecting socks to collect runoff from hazardous materials. San Diego County also responded to collect the materials and assist with hazardous waste response.

The blaze lasted for about eight hours. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Oceanside Fire Department.

— City News Service