Massive Opa-locka junkyard fire forces more than 100 from their homes as crews work for hours to contain blaze

Fire crews in Miami-Dade have been working for hours to contain and extinguish a massive fire that broke out at a junkyard in Opa-locka on Monday that shut down roads and forced more than 100 people from their homes.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, more than 80 MDFR units responded to reports of several vehicles that were on fire near the 13100 block of Cairo Lane just after 5 p.m. Monday.

About 125 people were told to evacuate the area because of the blaze, which officials say is one of the largest in Opa-locka history, but overnight they were told by officials that it was safe to return home.

People who lived nearby watched in awe as the thick, black smoke blanketed the area.

"I live two blocks from here. I was seeing the fire. I was afraid," said Lazaro, who lives nearby.

Fire crews worked for hours to try and douse the inferno as explosions could be heard coming from the junkyard.

"We encountered a large junkyard that was on fire, with heavy winds from a storm had already started pushing the fire westward into a secondary business," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said. "All in all, a total of six business have been impacted."

Two junkyards, a trucking company and three small businesses were impacted by the blaze, but no homes in the area were impacted, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

Fire crews had warned residents in the area that smoky conditions could affect nearby areas as the firefighting operations continued.

As a precaution, those nearby were told to remain indoors, if possible, with windows and doors closed.