Gas explosion outside of Weitsman Recycling in Owego

OWEGO, N.Y. ( WIVT/WBGH ) — A loud explosion rocked Owego this afternoon after a spark ignited a natural gas cylinder.

The explosion took place at the Ben Weitsman and Son scrap metal yard on Main Street. Owner Adam Weitsman tells News 34 that a customer brought in a natural gas cylinder and the gage indicated that it was empty.

As workers were cutting another item nearby, a spark caused the cylinder to explode, creating a loud noise that could be heard throughout the village. Luckily, no one was hurt. Owego Fire responded and temporarily closed the yard.

Weitsman says his business rarely handles natural gas cylinders and has never had a situation like this before.

He says the yard is developing a new protocol for handling such cylinders that won’t rely on gages.

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