Massive fire at tire shop in Rosedale closes Pulaski Highway in both directions

Baltimore County firefighters are battling a two-alarm fire at a Rosedale tire shop, and the response is expected to cause traffic delays.

Crews were dispatched to the 7800 block of Pulaski Highway just after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to respond to multiple trailers filled with burning tires at Pulaski Tire Service, officials said on social media. The fire has closed Pulaski Highway, which is part of U.S. 40, in both directions at Chesaco Avenue, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Videos across social media show black smoke and a bright orange fire billowing over the white trailers, which officials said were stacked with tires.

Terri Devor, an employee at the nearby Eastern Plating Co., said it was frightening to see the thick black smoke covering the busy tire shop. Devor said two trailers were fully engulfed in flames, as were trees.

“It was scary,” she said. “I was uncomfortable. I was worried about embers coming this way.”

Devor said her workplace, across the street from the fire, was fine, but the emergency response had trapped employees, as they could not drive over the fire hoses. Though firefighters were still working to contain the blaze around 4 p.m., Devor said it was much tamer than the incredible cloud of black smoke and fire earlier in the day.

Travis Francis, a spokesperson for the Baltimore County Fire Department, said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. Officials said no one was injured and no buildings were involved.