Newark, CA— Fremont, Hayward, Piedmont, Alameda County and Livermore-Pleasanton Fire crews knocked down a fire at the Western Pacific Pulp & Paper Recycling Center in Newark Friday afternoon. The facility is currently leased to AHG Recycling.

Patch readers shared many photos from the scene. The fire was reported at 6587 Smith Avenue at about 3:06 p.m., according to the Pulsepoint phone application. Nearby businesses were been evacuated, streets closed and a shelter-in-place order issued for Newark and Fremont.

Smoke from the massive fire could be seen over much of the Bay Area. The smoke produced a choking stench and threw particulates into the air. Lisa Fasano of Bay Area Air Quality advised people to close windows and doors and put the air conditioner on recirculate. "When you get heavy, black smoke it's always problematic."

The smoke blew down the length of the Santa Clara Valley, settling against the east foothills. Some residents complained of raw throats after breathing the air. The smoke was visible from I-880, but did not cause problems with visibility for drivers.

The fire was located between the Bay and I-880, south of Dumbarton Bridge and northwest of NewPark Mall.

Some Altamont Corridor Express trains experienced minor delays.

#BREAKING: Large fire reported at Newark recycling plant. pic.twitter.com/nkC0W49JYY

— KTVU (@KTVU) July 8, 2016 A nearby resident told Patch, "It's huge, dense black smoke heading straight south."

