Thick, black smoke seen for miles, billowing from fire at Waukesha Iron & Metal, no one injured



WAUKESHA (WITI) -- Smoke could be seen for miles -- billowing from Waukesha Iron & Metal as firefighters battled a blaze there Wednesday, April 29th. Five hours after the fire started, smoke finally stopped spewing from the property.



Waukesha firefighters were on the scene of the fire -- near the intersection of Main Street and Manhattan Drive. Video you'll see above was sent in to FOX6 News by a viewer.

Waukesha Iron & Metal fire



Smoke could be seen billowing from the fire from miles away. Many watched as crews battled the blaze, including Brenda Schwarz and her five-year-old son.

"My concern is they have the thick smoke and it keeps pouring out of there. I feel bad for the neighborhood because they are going to be covered in smoke for the next few hours," Schwarz said.

Crews were dispatched to the scene around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 29th. We're told crews at the scrapyard tried to put the fire out themselves before the Waukesha Fire Department was called.

Waukesha Iron & Metal fire



The fire broke out under a pile of crushed cars, and fire officials called the pile "sizable."

It is unclear what started it. Those watching the fire who pass by Waukesha Iron & Metal regularly could only speculate as to what might be burning.

"It's at ground level, so whatever it is has to be oil. That's the only thing I can think of," a spectator said.

Waukesha Iron & Metal fire



"Cars, sheet metal -- they take anything that pretty much has to do with iron," a spectator said.

While the flames were contained to the property, the same couldn't be said about the smoke. A thick cloud rose hundreds of feet into the air -- flowing into nearby neighborhoods and attracting the curious.

That smoke was tested by fire officials and they say the smoke wasn't overly dangerous.

Waukesha police said Main Street from Manhattan Drive to Perkins Avenue was set to remain closed for "an extended period of time."

No one was injured.



Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.