Welder may be behind recycling co. fire

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) - A massive fire broke out at Twin Village Recycling on Broadway in Depew, where witnesses reported a number of explosions, Monday evening. Tuesday, Twin Village Recycling remains open for business.

The 65-year-old company at Broadway and Indian in Depew recycles metal. Apparently, a torch was being used to cut metal in the metal house around 4 p.m. The torch accidentally started some fire in some insulation and it quickly led to an explosion. A customer was dropping off metal at the time, and say he heard the explosion.

"And I happened to turn, and I heard an explosion. I don't know if it was a propane tank, but it was loud. I seen the smoke. The flames were probably 40 to 50 feet in the air. The smoke was just really black," said Rich Williams.

After two hours, the fire appeared to be under control. Everyone got out of the building safely, though one firefighter was taken away on a stretcher from smoke inhalation.

The damage to the building is extensive, as two structures were fully involved. However, the damage could have been a lot worse had the some 80 propane tanks and other hazardous materials gone up in flames.