Seven fire departments responded to a fire at a B. Rose Transportation Scrap Yard in Alvo Thursday afternoon. Eagle firefighters said this is the largest response they've ever seen in Alvo.

According to Cass County Sheriff's Deputy Wes Harrah, scrap yard employees were cutting metal which may have sparked the fire. Kris Marco who lives in Alvo believes the fire started when employees unloaded two cars in the scrap yard. He said the employees turned around and five minutes later the cars were on fire.

Firefighters said the fire was incredibly difficult to fight because there are piles of scrap between 10 and 30 feet high that were on fire. Crews put out the fire but are spending most of Thursday evening checking for hot spots.

Marc Moore saw the fire on his way home from work and went to the scene.

"The whole pile on this side was in flames," said Moore. "There were wrecked, crushed cars that were on fire. Deep, deep black smoke."

Moore said he heard about a dozen explosions.

"I'm guessing tires popping and things like that," Moore said. "(I'm) very concerned and since it's winter time we'll normally have a northwest wind so if it was a normal day my home would be uninhabitable right now."

Officials said some scrap yard employees were treated for smoke inhalation but no other injuries were reported.