PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has issued an air quality warning for residents in Port Richmond after a fire ripped through a scrap yard Thursday night, filling the air with heavy smoke.
Police blocked the road by the scrap yard Friday morning, at Wheatsheaf Lane and Richmond Street. The fire trucks were already gone, and most of the smoke had cleared.
Residents had complained of an odor of burnt rubber or plastic, but its potency has begun to fade.
“The odor was plasticky, terrible. It was actually dizzying,” said Port Richmond resident Christine. “I had [her dog] out in my yard and I was like, ‘Nope, I ain’t doing it. Going in.’ ”
“We thought it was tires,” said Gus Bauman, owner of Hecker’s Deli, about a half-mile away. “It just had a distinctive smell and it kinda lingered for quite a few hours.”
The fire started around 4:30 p.m. and took about an hour to get under control, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
In a statement, the health department said people should avoid the area or try to stay inside as a precaution — especially important for people who may have respiratory issues or other underlying health concerns.
The health department did not identify any specific hazardous substance. There was no update on the status of the air quality warning as of 10 a.m. on Friday.