Crews are battling a fire that began early Thursday morning at a metal recycling plant along the Saint John Harbour.

Three schools across the harbour have been forced to close because of the smoke, Saint John High School, Saint Malachy’s Memorial High School and St. John the Baptist/King Edward Schools all closed at 8:50 a.m. and people living near the fire were advised to stay inside.

“There’s quite a bit of smoke in the area,” said Saint John Fire platoon chief Ed Moyer.

Moyer said  There have been no reports of injuries from the fire, which started at about 1 a.m. in a pile of compressed cars .