A pile of metal debris from a stockpile of "light iron" recyclable metal exploded and sparked a fire on Tuesday at Sims Metal Management in Redwood City - for the second time in a little more than a month - prompting fears about the quality of air spewing from the blaze.

Health officials asked nearby residents to stay in their homes, and at 7 a.m. advised that nearby residents shelter in place. The smoke could be smelled 16 miles away in Sunnyvale, and police there were telling residents if they felt affected by the smoke to stay inside. Similar advisories were being circulated by the Santa Clara Unified School District.

Tuesday was also the 10th consecutive "Spare the Air" day in the Bay Area, and officials announced Wednesday would be 11th.

The two-alarm fire was reported Tuesday abou

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