Junkyard fire sends plumes of heavy smoke over Camden

This story originally appeared on 6abc.

A massive four-alarm fire sent plumes of heavy smoke across South Jersey on Friday.

The call came in around 5 p.m. Friday for flames showing at the EMR metal recycling center on the 1400 block of South Front Street in Camden.

Raynard Thompson could see the flames from his home in Somerdale, New Jersey, before arriving at the scene.

“Hot and scary being close to a junkyard fire,” said Thompson. “The chemicals, the smell — it was too much.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Camden County police say the corner of 2nd Street and Atlantic Avenue is closed to traffic. Drivers are urged to avoid streets in this area.

Drivers could even see the flames from the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Camden Fire Chief Jesse Flax said nearly 20 fire companies responded to knock down the burning mounds of metal, vehicles and debris.

Just after 10 p.m., fire crews seemed to be getting the upper hand, but flames were still visible as water rained down on the rubble.

“It’s a little difficult because we don’t have enough hydrants in the area because we’re isolated inside of a yard, so we’ve got to transport water from the hydrants,” said Chief Flax.

He said the wind also presented some challenges, but they’ve fought fires at this facility in the past.