Large fire breaks out at Anderson scrap metal recycling center

ANDERSON — Firefighters were at a scrap metal recycling center for at least two hours after it caught on fire Monday afternoon, spewing thick, black smoke into the air, an official said.

Crews were dispatched for the fire at about 3:30 p.m. to Newco Recycling at 1515 E. 22nd St., said Anderson Fire Chief Dave Craven. By 6:10 p.m., the flames were extinguished and the smoke had dissipated.

There were about eight or nine employees present when the fire broke out, but all evacuated the site and no one was injured, Craven said.

Craven said six tanker trucks were used to extinguish the flames. Crews are now focusing on clearing the area of debris.

Images shared with WRTV showed thick, black smoke coming from the building and blowing several feet into the sky.

It's not yet clear what caused the blaze. An investigation is underway.

This is a developing story.