Smoke continues to linger from a large early-morning fire at a metal recycling plant in Tampa.

Once the fire is out, crews will monitor the area, to make sure it doesn't re-ignite.

The fire broke out at One Steel Recycling on Port Sutton Road just off U.S. Highway 41 just after 4 a.m.

After the fire was brought under control at about 7 a.m., a huge plume of smoke continued to pour from the smoldering large pile of steel that had been burning most of the morning.

The smoke was spotted as far away as Manatee and Pinellas counties and in Plant City. Winds conditions pushing the smoke out to the Bay helped keep the impact on area traffic, businesses and residents to a minimum.

"The one positive thing this morning was the wind direction was in our favor, we did not have to shut down Highway 41,” said Nacole Revette, with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

At the height of the fire, large flames were reported shooting 30 to 40 feet in the air. Fire officials said a bulldozer had to be brought in to break up the pile of burning steel and help firefighters extinguish the fire.

Multiple units, including two ladder trucks, poured water on the intense flames and smoke. Crews also applied foam to a diesel tank on the property near the fire.

Officials said two workers at the plant safely escaped the flames. No injuries were reported.

There is no word on what started the fire, which is under investigation.