Local

Tire fire erupts near downtown Orlando, closes OBT in both directions

ORLANDO, Fla. — A tire fire that broke out Wednesday at a business near downtown Orlando caused major traffic problems for a portion of the afternoon.

The blaze erupted about 20 feet from Everett's Truck Rental and Sales in the 2200 block of Orange Blossom Trail, causing officials to close OBT in both directions just south of Kaley Avenue.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion shortly before seeing the flames.

"The truck that the tires were sitting in exploded," said witness Cierra Frink.

Video from Skywitness 9 HD shows thick, black smoke coming from the blaze and sweeping across the street and into the air. The plumes of smoke were visible for miles as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.

Frink said she was at a nearby convenience store when she heard an explosion just before the fire.

"Just heard a "pow,'" she said.

Daniel Marrero's pawn shop was all but shut down by the fire and street closures.

"It's blocked off by the firemen and the fire trucks around the whole corner here," he said. "We had to move all the cars here because of the amount of heat in front of the store."

Firefighters have not said what caused the blaze or whether anyone was injured.