ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) – A magnesium fire at a recycling plant burned out of control Friday night, spewing wind-driven toxic fumes and forcing the evacuation of several thousand people from their homes.

Hundreds of firefighters rushed to the Advanced Magnesium Alloys Corp. plant after the fire erupted. Explosions inside forced firefighters out less than three hours later, although they continued working from outside the building, said police spokesman Detective Terry Sollars.

“The whole building is engulfed now,” Sollars said. “It’s a bright glow, it’s burning pretty hard.”

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Magnesium is a silvery-white, highly flammable metal that, when ignited, releases irritating or toxic fumes. Magnesium fires are typically extinguished using dry sand since water can cause a flare-up or explosion.

Authorities evacuated about 5,000 people from an area about one mile wide and two miles long that fell in the path of the smoke and fumes; wind speeds were about 5 mph, Sollars said.

“They’re afraid the plant is gonna blow,” said Doug Parks, who lives across the street and upwind from the plant. “We heard a couple of explosions that shook the house.”

Sollars said the fire began with an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 pounds of magnesium in one section of the plant. “We’re not sure yet on what the start of it was,” he said.

Twelve to 18 of the plant’s approximately 70 workers were inside at the time, he said.

The factory is located in the sprawling former Delco Remy plant site.