Fire rips through scrap yard in Sharjah's industrial centre

The blaze sent a plume of thick black smoke into the sky near the University Road

The fire took place in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A massive fire raged through a scrap yard in Sharjah’s industrial area on Tuesday sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky.

The fire ripped through a number of decommissioned cars before firefighters brought it under control.

It was not clear how the blaze started but it began at about 4:30am in industrial area 10 close to University Road.

Authorities said no one was hurt but several cars destined for scrap were destroyed.

The intensity of the fire was evident as heavy smoke could still be seen billowing into the air hours after the fire was controlled.

Sharjah Police and the Civil Defence have launched an investigation.