FORT SMITH, Ark. --
Two gas tanks exploded this afternoon at Yaffe Metal in Arkoma, causing a large pile of old cars and tires to catch fire. The fire sent a large plume of thick, black smoke across the Fort Smith area.
Fire crews said the fire appeared to have started when someone threw a piece of hot metal onto a pile of debris. Workers were moving and crushing cars when the fire started.
No injuries have been reported with this fire, authorities said.
"When I got over here, I could see about 30-foot flames coming out of the cars," said Fort Smith resident Anthony Sigler. "I couldn't believe that the firefighters were actually getting down into the flames like they was."
Firefighters from several area departments were fighting the blaze late Wednesday afternoon. Fort Smith Fire officials said it was brought under control after several hours.
Authorities said people in the immediate area were not in danger and they did not evacuate any homes or businesses.
Authorities were asking residents to keep away from the area on roads to prevent traffic jams and to allow official vehicles to get in and out more easily.
"I ran into a lady right down the road who they wouldn't let into her house," said Pocola resident Ladora Rush. "She said this is like the third time that's happened there this month. It's dangerous."
Yaffe Metal is the same location where decommissioned military artillery shells exploded earlier this month, causing the death of worker Stephen Fontenot.
"It's just a health hazard," said Sigler. "I mean, there's already been one accident here and it killed a guy and now this happened. I mean, to me, it's just a big old health hazard."
"I wouldn't want to live right close by it," said Rush. "I think they need to shut it down, myself."
A tire fire burns at Yaffe Metal and Iron in Arkoma after gas cans exploded and ignited the tires. Mobile photo submitted by viewer.
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