Firefighters have put the fire at a waste trading market in Beijing under control, though it is still burning.
The fire started around 1:40 p.m. at the Litong Dacheng waste market in suburban Changping District.
Waste collectors go to this market to sell things like plastic bottles, tires and wood to dealers who then sell it to companies.
So far, no injuries have been reported.
Traffic has been suspended on roads adjacent to the market.
Dealers said the fire started in a courtyard and spread fast. Investigators still don't know what caused it.
Heavy smoke could even be seen miles away at Xinhua's headquarters in downtown Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2009)
