Health advisory issued for Pueblo’s Salt Creek neighborhood

The Pueblo County Health Department issued a health alert for the Salt Creek neighborhood Sunday due to heavy smoke coming from a scrap yard fire burning near the 1800 block of South La Crosse Avenue.

Authorities said the fire began around 3 a.m. Sunday at American Iron and Metal. Firefighters from the the Pueblo Rural Fire Protection District, Pueblo City and Pueblo County fire departments responded to the scene. The flames were contained to a large pile of shredded debris from auto interiors.

The fire produced a large amount of smoke and a strong odor that were blown by strong winds into the Salt Creek neighborhood. Authorities advised residents to keep their doors and windows shut, and to turn off their air conditioners.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, firefighters have put out the smoke and flames, and nearby Business U.S. 50 has reopened after being closed because of reduced visibility from the smoke.

Residents with respiratory illnesses such as asthma oremphysema were advised to leave the area until the smoke cleared and the fire was completely out.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation.