Stunning Photos From Northern Metals Fire Released

BECKER, MN — Fire crews continue to monitor the smoldering, still-burning wreckage at Northern Metals Recycling Plant in Becker after a large fire began there early Tuesday morning. The fire started in a pile of crushed vehicles on the lot.

Crews have been working nonstop at the site since the blaze was discovered just before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday by a passerby. No injuries have been reported.

Temperatures dipped below zero overnight, and have remained in the single digits.

The combination of smoke, fire, water and ice at the pile of crushed cars made for stunning images:

Odor from the blaze drifted into the Twin Cities Tuesday.

Becker Public Schools will continue to remain in session despite the fire and smoke. School officials are monitoring air quality and decisions will be made based on wind direction, indoor air, and recommendations from city and county leaders.

"The safety of our children is our primary concern and the school district does not expect any of our children to be in danger within our current conditions," the district said in a statement late Tuesday.

"We believe that students are in a safe air environment when they are in school. Our systems use filtered air and we have the capability to increase or decrease outside air, while many homes may not have this ability," added Superintendent Jeremy Schmidt.