NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — A portion of Lockport Road right off Military Road in Niagara Falls is back open after being closed for several hours due to a large fire at a junkyard Monday night.
Niagara Falls firefighters were called to the Myles Scrap Yard just before 7 p.m. for a report of vehicles on fire at the scrap yard.
It took firefighters several hours to bring the fire under control due to getting equipment back to where the fire was.
While fire crews were clearing the scene, they found another set of fires in another area of the property. Using a floodlight to scan the area, firefighters found a person hiding among the vehicles.
Police were called and took the person into custody. That person, identified as Joseph Gaines, was charged with criminal mischief.
Shortly after 4 a.m., firefighters were called back to the scrap yard where they found another fire in a trailer filled with tires. While investigating, a fire official found a cell phone near the trailer. With the help of a Niagara County Sheriff's K-9, they were able to track the scent from the scene to a home across from the scrap yard, where they found Gaines. Gaines was taken to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to be evaluated.
No exact cause has been listed for the fire.