It was a smoky day in Williamsport as firefighters battled a raging scrap metal fire on the city's west side.
The flames are under control now, but many residents dealt with the smoke blowing through their neighborhoods.
For hours Williamsport firefighters attacked the stubborn flames from all directions at Penn Recycling along Trenton Avenue.
Fire officials said it started before midnight and sent smoke throughout the city, including nearby West Third Street. Residents were advised if they had breathing problems to close windows and doors and stay inside.
"Before it was really strong, the odor and stuff. The smoke was just pouring up into the sky," said Peggy Welch of Williamsport. She turned off her air conditioner. closed her windows and doors but could not be phased by the haze. "(I'm) going about daily business, doing cleaning, doesn't bother me."
Penn Recycling officials said it's the first time in months the company has had a fire of this magnitude. Over the last two months scrap metal has piled up while the shredder has been off-line. A spokesperson said the flames were fueled by debris in the scrap metal.
More than 12 hours after firefighters started battling the blaze at the scrap metal yard, it was still burning. Crews tried to spread out the scrap metal so they can get to the heart of the fire and keep the smoke from billowing throughout the city.
"Just kind of making your throat kind of raw," Jim Gibbons said of the smoke. "That will be rough later if the fire's not out. It'll be hot today."
Crews eventually got the upper hand and contained the flames and smoke to the area of the scrap yard. City officials said the odorous smoke could linger while the final hot spots are extinguished.
There is no word what caused the fire.
The flames are under control now, but many residents dealt with the smoke blowing through their neighborhoods.
For hours Williamsport firefighters attacked the stubborn flames from all directions at Penn Recycling along Trenton Avenue.
Fire officials said it started before midnight and sent smoke throughout the city, including nearby West Third Street. Residents were advised if they had breathing problems to close windows and doors and stay inside.
"Before it was really strong, the odor and stuff. The smoke was just pouring up into the sky," said Peggy Welch of Williamsport. She turned off her air conditioner. closed her windows and doors but could not be phased by the haze. "(I'm) going about daily business, doing cleaning, doesn't bother me."
Penn Recycling officials said it's the first time in months the company has had a fire of this magnitude. Over the last two months scrap metal has piled up while the shredder has been off-line. A spokesperson said the flames were fueled by debris in the scrap metal.
More than 12 hours after firefighters started battling the blaze at the scrap metal yard, it was still burning. Crews tried to spread out the scrap metal so they can get to the heart of the fire and keep the smoke from billowing throughout the city.
"Just kind of making your throat kind of raw," Jim Gibbons said of the smoke. "That will be rough later if the fire's not out. It'll be hot today."
Crews eventually got the upper hand and contained the flames and smoke to the area of the scrap yard. City officials said the odorous smoke could linger while the final hot spots are extinguished.
There is no word what caused the fire.
