The cause is going down as undetermined and no injuries were reported after a "complex fire" in Chatham's west end on Wednesday.
Fire officials were called A Gold & Sons on Queens Line near Bloomfield Road for a smoke investigation in the early afternoon. Residents in the surrounding areas were then urged to close their doors and windows immediately.
Heavy, dark smoke could be seen drifting across the city at around noon Wednesday as a result of the fire.
Around 20 scrap vehicles, along with a number of bins of tires were found ablaze. Fire crews from various stations responded and officials called a general fire alarm due to the extreme heat, strong winds and the size of the fire.
Part of Queens Line was closed to allow fire crews to get water to the scene. Approximately 45 firefighters were on scene at the peak of the fire.
The area was reopened at around 3:30 p.m.
There is no estimated damage value as it was scrap that was burned.
The Office of the Fire Marshal has been contacted due to the size and nature of the fire for informational purposes only.
A large fire at A Gold & Sons. September 6, 2023. Photo supplied by Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
A large fire at A Gold & Sons. September 6, 2023. Photo supplied by Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
A large fire at A Gold & Sons. September 6, 2023. Photo supplied by Municipality of Chatham-Kent.