This browser does not support the Video element.
DeLand fire crews fight scrapyard fire; Residents urged to stay inside
City officials in DeLand are warning residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed after a scrapyard fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Central Florida Recycling Center.
DELAND, Fla. - It is finally quiet at the Central Florida Recycling Center, after firefighters worked for several hours to put out the fire.
While crews cleared the scene late tonight, the biggest mystery remains: what sparked the massive blaze?
What we know:
Fire crews responded to the area of Garfield Avenue and Samuel Street after a fire broke out Wednesday afternoon, May 6.
The city of DeLand reported a scrapyard fire at Central Florida Recycling Center, near the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Samuel Street.
‘It exploded a lot of times’
For neighbors living just a stone’s throw away from the scrap yard, the afternoon was anything but quiet. Residents reported hearing multiple blasts before the sky turned a dark, ominous gray.
"All of a sudden, we hear an explosion and then a bunch of us went out back and there was a lot of dark smoke," said local resident Kevin Sullivan. "They have a lot of cars over there so, I guess it’s a lot of gasoline … but it exploded a lot of times."
The intensity of the smoke and the proximity of the flames forced people to evacuate their homes as a precaution.
"We didn’t know if we were in any kind of danger, so we backed up and made sure everyone in the house came outside," Sullivan added.
Health warnings issued
As the fire continued, officials advised residents to stay indoors and keep their windows tightly sealed. The department warned that the fumes emitted from burning scrap metal and automotive fluids could cause significant lung and eye irritation.
"A lot of smoke everywhere and you can smell it, so you knew something was going on," said Shania Lomax, who witnessed the scene. "It was obscuring the area... it was very, very gray outside. You knew something was wrong."
Was anyone hurt?
What we don't know:
While the fire was eventually contained, investigators are working to determine a cause.
Due to the nature of the scrap materials and the intensity of the burn, officials say they may never be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
The size and intensity of the fire is also not known.
This story will be updated when more information is made available.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the city of DeLand.