NEWPORT, Del. (AP) -- Four firefighters were injured and some 1,000 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in a fire Tuesday at an automobile salvage yard in Newport, authorities said.
The blaze broke out about 5 p.m. at Joe Horisks Salvage Pool. It was brought under control about 8:15 p.m.
About 20 fire companies from across the region, including Oxford and Avondale, Pa., brought water-tanker trucks to help get the flames under control. Also assisting were fire companies from the Delaware Air National Guard, Delaware River and Bay Authority and Premcor.
A thick plume of black smoke billowed across the area and over I-95 and the sounds of popping glass and metal could be heard as cars caught fire.
New Castle County paramedics spokeswoman Kelli Starr-Leach said three of the firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries before being taken to Christiana Hospital.
A firefighter from Odessa and one from Minquas were admitted with dehydration and heat exhaustion. An Elsmere firefighter suffered a knee injury.
Starr-Leach says a fourth firefighter with the Delaware Air National Guard was struck in the head by debris from an exploding vehicle. He declined to be taken to the hospital.
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