Fontana, California – Firefighters battled a wind-whipped blaze in a huge pile of scrap metal at a recycling yard in Southern California as Santa Ana winds pushed thick smoke toward neighboring businesses.

Footage released by the San Bernardino County Fire Department on October 14 shows flames burning at the base of the towering pile of twisted metal on Slover Avenue. Strong winds blow heavy gray smoke sideways across the yard as an aerial ladder pours water onto the top of the pile and crews in breathing gear kneel on the wet pavement to aim hose lines into the fire.

The fire was reported at about 7:30 a.m. and grew to a second alarm. According to fire officials, Santa Ana winds were pushing the flames south, threatening nearby commercial properties, including a trucking yard.

Crews kept the fire on the original property and had it under control by about 12:35 p.m. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download