2-alarm scrap yard fire triggers explosions

TUCKER, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A huge scrapyard fire sent flames shooting into the air and set off numerous explosions.

The facility, which is off of Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker, caught fire Tuesday night. DeKalb County firefighters say the yard had car, bicycles and a random collection of other items. 

Much of the blaze was concentrated on a very large building, about the size of a football field. A second, smaller building also caught fire.

About 50 firefighters responded to the 2-alarm blaze. They took a defensive approach, using an aerial attack on the blaze. Four hydrants had to be tapped for water, leading to the closure of Lawrenceville Highway for hours.

Witnesses say they heard explosions every couple of minutes. Fire crews tell us those were likely car and bike tires. Some woods near the building caught fire, but those flames were extinguished.

No one was in the building, which was closed at the time and there were no injuries. 

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.