Scrap yard catches fire from a few sparks

UPDATE @ 5:10 p.m.

Battlion Chief Matt Smith, Springfield Fire Divison, said the fire appears to have been caused by scrap yard workers moving the cars around, dragging some metal on the ground and it caused sparks.

“There was some pretty high wind at the time,” which may have contributed to starting the blaze, Smith said. “I was pretty surprised that a few sparks ignited it.”

Cars were stacked six high and several deep. The entire trash pile ended up catching fire, but it was far from any structures so they were not in danger.

A thunderstorm brought heavy rains over the fire, but Smith said it didn’t have much impact.

“It was just that it made it more miserable for us,” Smith said.

FIRST REPORT

Crews are responding to a fire in the 800 block of Sherman Avenue.

Black smoke billowing into the sky could be seen from downtown Springfield.

Early reports indicated a pile of cars was on fire.