Fire crews have brought a large fire at the Cash For Trash scrapyard south of Ottawa's Stittsville neighbourhood under control.

The flames were first reported just before noon on Wednesday at 7628 Flewellyn Rd., between Munster and Conley roads.

Given the size of the scrapyard, Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Bob Rainboth said early Wednesday afternoon it would be "quite awhile" before the flames would be put out.

Firefighters from Ottawa and nearby rural communities fought the blaze, said Rainboth, as well as a water shuttle service, since there were no fire hydrants in the scrapyard's vicinity.

No one has been injured in the fire, Rainboth added.

By Wednesday evening, only a handful of fire trucks remained to watch for any possible flare-ups.

'Anything can start a fire'

Cash For Trash officer manager Victoria Freeborn said workers were baling scrap metal when a spark started what was initially a "very small fire."

The fire soon grew too big to be put out simply with extinguishers, she said.

By Wednesday evening firefighters had the blaze at Cash For Trash under control. (Andrew Foote/CBC)

"It's just a risk when dealing with scrap metal. There's always a risk of a fire starting," Freeborn said. "Anything can start a fire when you're dealing with hazardous materials. And there are hazardous materials in the scrap pile."

Freeborn said firefighters were expected to remain at the scrapyard overnight, adding that Cash For Trash would comply with any investigation carried out by the Ministry of the Environment.

'If that wind changes directions, we've got to leave'

Mark McCagg, who lives across the road from the scrapyard, was keeping a close eye on the black and grey smoke that he said had been rising about 25 metres into the air.

"We're on well water out here. If that wind changes directions, we've got to leave," said McCagg.

"Right now it's blowing towards the south. If it changes and starts blowing north, we've got to get out of this house and move our animals," he said.

Flewellyn Road had been closed in both directions between Conley and Munster roads, police said, but it was reopened early Wednesday evening.