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Massive scrap yard fire seen for miles

Spectrum News

Rochester fire officials have released a cause for the massive fire at a scrap yard on the west side of the city on Friday afternoon.

They say that an old fuel pump that had been crushed released vapors that ignited, sparking a fire that involved a rubbish pile of metal, with a number of stripped vehicles consumed in the flames.

The fire was at 80 Steel Street. It was reported just  before 4:30pm, and the billowing smoke was seen for miles.

Fire officials called a 2nd alarm because of all the resources needed to fight the fire, and the airport fire department was called in to apply foam. Construction equipment had to be used as well to move vehicles out of the way so that the fire hose lines would be more effective.

There were no injuries.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.