Multiple fire departments work blaze at Missouri Metal Recycling

Firefighters from multiple departments were called to the the scene of a fire at Missouri Metal Recycling on the east side of Webb City Saturday morning.

According to a firefighter at the scene, the blaze broke out around 7 a.m. after a machine being used in the scrap yard overheated, reportedly producing what one onlooker described as “explosions.”

Although most of the scrap consists of metal, the firefighter from theorized it was being fueled by residual oils and other flammable substances in the building-sized piles of materials.

Fire Departments from Webb City, Oronogo, Duenweg Carterville and Carl Junction were at the scene, along with law enforcement.

The blaze and the large plume of thick, black smoke could be seen by drivers on Highway 171 as far east Carthage, as well as those in and around Webb City and Joplin.

There were no reports of injuries.

Flames towered much higher before fire units began blasting it with water before 8 a.m.