Fire at Chamizal transfer center in Juarez visible for miles

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - People in downtown and south central El Paso reported seeing a large plume of black smoke coming from the Chamizal area in Juarez.

Sergio Rodriguez, the Juarez Fire Department Commander, said a fire started about 7 p.m. Saturday at the trash transfer station in an area of the Chamizal.

It took 20 fire crews working more than 12 hours to get the fire under control.

The center is where the city's parks department deposits trees, leaves, and other items from clean up projects in areas of the city.

The Juarez fire department says it was likely caused when debris, branches, leaves and other waste caught fire.

According to Rodriguez, a third party contractor is supposed to collect the debris on a regular basis, but it has not been done in a month.

No report of any injuries.