Fire tore through a Delaware auto recycling business Tuesday morning, sending a plume of smoke into the air.
The blaze broke out after 8 a.m. along Old Airport Road in New Castle. The fire sent smoke into the air that could be seen from nearby Interstate 95.
A firefighter was treated and released for minor burns to his hands, the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release.
The Red Clay Creek Consolidated School District bus yard is next to the auto parts business on fire. District spokeswoman Patty Nash said most buses were out taking students to school at the time of the fire. Workers moved other equipment away from the property line.
By 9:30 a.m., some smoke continued to rise from the charred remains of one building at the business. Three buildings were damaged or destroyed by fire with the estimated total in damage around $100,000, the state fire marshal’s office said.
The cause of the fire was ruled accidental.
"Deputy Fire Marshal’s were called to the scene and have determined that the fire was caused by workers using cutting torches to dismantle vehicles ignited surrounding flammable/combustible material causing heavy damage to the building," the state fire marshal’s office said.
