Fire at Modesto auto wrecking yard brought under control

A fire at a Modesto auto-wrecking yard sent a huge plume of black smoke into the early evening air Tuesday.

The fire, at Modesto Auto Wreckers at Crows Landing Road and Seventh Street, was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. Quick-working crews from several agencies had the blaze out within 35 minutes.

About 20 vehicles caught fire and the flames and thick smoke backed up traffic on nearby Highway 99 and the surrounding roads.

Crews had to tap into a fire hydrant on Blankenburg Avenue, nearly a quarter-mile away from the fire. Water tenders were called to the scene but were not needed.

The cause of the fire was not known and there were no injuries.

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Fire at Modesto auto wrecking yard brought under control."