Tall plume of smoke draws attention of firefighters at nearby training facility. What it was
Modesto firefighters were about to start running drills at the Modesto Junior College Training Facility when they were called to a fire nearby at Ninth and O streets.
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, a tall plume of black smoke could be seen from the training facility. A Modesto Fire Department firefighter and instructor noted it looked like the smoke came from the junkyard.
At the height of the incident, two firetrucks, nine engines and three fire chief officers responded to the fire at Modesto Junk Company downtown, Battalion 3 Chief Jerardo Avila said.
The fire was contained to a single junk pile, made of discarded vehicle parts and various metals.
A Sinclair fuel station was across the street from the blaze. The owner could be heard telling firefighters he shut off the gas just in case. Avila gave the owner an all clear around 3:30 p.m.
Drones were used to survey the damages and area to let the responding firefighters about any potential danger.
Modesto police officers and city officials also were at the scene. Avila told firefighters to send notice to the city because water used to put out the fire ran into storm drains. Avila said this is protocol, and that the water is not a hazard.
No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
