Smoke cloud looms large over Madera

Benny Munoz/The Madera Tribune

Black smoke could be seen for miles right outside the Madera city limits early Monday afternoon.

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A fire started at Smith’s Wrecking Yard, 12389 Road 29, near Avenue 12 and the State Route 99 offramp early Friday afternoon.  

According to the Madera Division Cal Fire Assistant Chief, Justin Macomb, firefighters from Station 1 were quickly on the scene and between 20-30 cars were already on fire. 

By the time the fire was out, more than 100 cars were destroyed. Macomb said petroleum by-products caused the high black smoke that could be seen for many miles.