Large fire at Baltimore County recycling plant leads to partial building collapse

BALTIMORE - A fire at a recycling plant in Dundalk led to a partial building collapse Saturday, Jan. 18, according to Baltimore County Fire officials.

The blaze started at Owl Metals on 1936 Rettman Lane around 6 p.m. and eventually caused a building to collapse partially, officials said.

Dundalk resident Sharon Thompson said she saw lots of smoke and flames coming from the recycling plant.

"...We could feel the flames from her yard," she said.

"My first reaction was to get my dad out because he's on oxygen," Thompson explained. 

One injury reported

An elderly man who lives in the area was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures, according to BCoFD.

"We considered evacuations but there's only been one person that's been transported," Fire Chief Joe Dixon said.

Several others who live near the fire were told to shelter in place.

Multiple fire rescue boats and Baltimore City Fire units responded to the scene as well.

All lanes of MD 157 between Bethlehem Boulevard and Merritt Boulevard were closed in both directions as crews responded to the fire, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA). 

Baltimore County Police warned drivers to avoid Peninsula Expressway and the Stansbury Park areas of Dundalk as crews worked to battle the fire.

Roads were reopened around noon on Sunday, Jan. 19.

Sharon Thompson told WJZ Reporter Kaicey Baylor that there have been previous fires at the plant. Fire Chief Dixon confirmed that there have been reported incidents at the location, but he did not share how many.