Debris catches fire in Tampa junkyard

TAMPA, Fla. – Firefighters were called to a scrap yard in Tampa after debris caught fire Friday morning.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said it received multiple 911 calls reporting heavy smoke and flames at Scrap King, located at 5020 Dover Street, around 6:21 a.m.

When crews arrived, they found several large piles of scrap metal engulfed in flames throughout the property.

Firefighters were able to control the fire in less than an hour. There were no injuries reported.

This is the third debris-related fire after Hurricane Milton hit the Tampa Bay area.

On Thursday, a two-alarm fire broke out in St. Petersburg, forcing the evacuation of a neighborhood. Early reports suggested that the presence of hurricane debris containing flammable insulation, motors, and batteries may have contributed to the ignition.

Additionally, Trademark Metals Recycling, a scrap metal recycling company in Clearwater, burned down. The cause? Appliance debris left behind by recent hurricanes.

Authorities said the cause of Friday’s fire is still under investigation.