A major early morning blaze in an industrial scrapyard prompted the evacuation of people from several nearby homes and businesses in a west-end neighbourhood of Toronto.

The fire broke out at 4:45 a.m. Thursday in a pile of tires and debris in a mostly industrial area near Rogers and Weston roads, police said.

Heavy smoke forced people out of several buildings in the Rogers and Weston roads area.
(CBC)

More than 150 firefighters spent the morning battling the blaze and expected to be there for much of the day.

"This is going to take a long time. We're going to be here all day," said Toronto Fire Services deputy chief Pat McCabe.

By 8:30 a.m., the black plume of smoke rising from the fire had turned white, indicating the fire was coming under control, McCabe said.

The heavy smoke forced people to flee several buildings in the area. No injuries were reported.

Toronto police have asked residents in the area to stay inside, close their windows and shut off their air conditioning because of the smoke.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Ministry of the Environment staff are expected to examine runoff from the fire to ensure there are no environmental hazards.