Johnston County Emergency Management officials said the blaze broke out at the Atlantic Scrap and Processing Facility at 2233 Wal-Pat Rd. at about 1 p.m. Sixty-five fire fighters from 11 fire departments were dispatched to the scene.
It took crews 20 hours to extinguish the blaze. They used foam and water to confine the fire and brought in additional water from surrounding areas for the town's own supply.
At its worst, the fire stretched longer than a football field. Town Manager Peter Connet said he saw smoke 34 miles away in Wilson.
"It is impressive," Connet said. "It's just one of those things you've got to get water on and contain it."
No injuries were reported in the fire.
Emergency personnel watched weather conditions, but no evacuations were needed. A shelter at West Smithfield Elementary School was opened, but no one showed up.
Fire officials were still trying to determine the fire's cause Sunday morning.
No one from Atlantic Scrap and Processing would talk about the fire Sunday afternoon.
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