BALTIMORE (WJZ)— Crews are still finding active hot spots at the site of a massive auto shop fire.

Kai Jackson has more on the firefighters’ ongoing efforts to kill the blaze.

This fire was an inferno and hours later, firefighters were still dousing it to make sure it’s out.

Plumes of smoke billowed from a raging tire fire at the intersection of Belvedere and Wabash in Northwest Baltimore. Investigators say it started around 4 p.m. Monday. Some 85 firefighters fought the three-alarm blaze in a combination of aerial and ground assault.

Firefighters faced huge, dangerous fireballs, which produced thick and toxic tire fumes.

“Literally one breath of the smoke could suffocate someone,” said Chief Kevin Cartwright.

Witnesses say the business that burned is called Belvedere Tire.

“They sell used tires. Any time I ever need tires for my car, I come here and buy them for a reasonable price,” said Maurice Day.

One man said he and his friends were inside the building and barely got out alive.

“There was a small spark that occurred in the tire shop and I watched everyone run out,” said Raymond Thornton, Jr.

Firefighters say an unidentified person was burned on the arm. The victim was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for treatment.

Reuben Maxwell owns the business next door to the tire shop.

“I still worry because the fire’s so close to my shop. I still worry,” Maxwell said.

Officials say there could be traffic delays in the area Tuesday morning and advise motorists to use alternate routes if possible.

Firefighters used some 30 pieces of equipment to battle the fire.