Massive fire rips through South Florida junkyard, spreads to businesses

May 26, 2026 - 03:24

Thick, black smoke permeated the air Monday evening as crews battled a massive fire that began at a junkyard in Opa-locka. The blaze, which ignited late in the afternoon, quickly grew out of control, sending towering flames and a dense plume of toxic smoke across the South Florida skyline. Firefighters from multiple agencies rushed to the scene near Northwest 27th Avenue and 151st Street, where the fire had already jumped from the scrap yard to adjacent commercial structures.

Officials reported that the fire consumed piles of scrap metal, old vehicles, and other debris, creating an intense heat that made containment difficult. The wind carried embers to neighboring businesses, igniting at least two warehouses. Crews worked to establish a perimeter and protect nearby homes, but the fast-moving flames forced the closure of several roads and prompted evacuation warnings for the immediate area.

No injuries were reported as of Monday evening, but firefighters faced challenges accessing the site due to the unstable piles of wreckage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue urged residents to avoid the area and keep windows closed due to the heavy smoke. The cleanup and investigation are expected to continue into Tuesday.