With the blaze sending a thick pall of smoke up over the city, nearby engineering premises also had to be evacuated this afternoon for safety reasons.

Emergency services were called to the yard at around 11.30am, and initial reports suggested just four cars were on fire.

But the incident quickly escalated, with the flames spreading through the scrap vehicles. Fire chiefs reported the blaze had become “deep seated”.

A Tayside Fire Brigade spokesperson said, “Due to the large amount of smoke, staff from R and M Engineering have been evacuated for their safety.

“A number of oxygen and acetylene cylinders have been removed from the site.

“The advice to local residents has been to stay in doors and close all windows and doors.

“The smoke plume is being monitored and we are in liaison with the environment agency and environmental health departments of Dundee City council.”

The spokesperson added that fire crews are expected to be on the scene for “an extended period of time”.

Initial reports suggested the cause may have been a spark created during the piling of scrap cars, which in turn ignited residual petrol.

Tayside Police said this afternoon that the incident is not being treated as suspicious.