August 27, 1988 - 9:00pm

Spectacular 2-alarm blaze damages recycling business near popular Pyatt Street Market, causes damages estimated at $20,000. 

A recycling plant near the Pyatt Street Market was gutted by a spectacular two alarm fire Friday night, resulting in damages estimated at $20,000. 

Youngstown firefighters received the call at about 9 p.m. They fought the blaze aggressively, entering the approximately 100-yard long plant at several points, and preventing it from spreading.

Workers at the Pyatt Street Diner, across the street reported the blaze. Employees and diners saw the leaping flames and rushed out to see where the fire was.

"We could see the red in the sky," said Stephanie Sabo of Canfield, who had just finished dinner when she and her husband noticed the fire. "It was glowing, so you knew it was a pretty good fire."

"We all ran out, and I said, 'Oh, my God, this place is going,'" added her husband, Joseph.

"We saw the blaze first," said David Hagan, a busboy at the diner. "It was going pretty good."

It appeared that most of the flames were doused by about 10 p.m. Officials have not yet listed a cause for the fire.

William Umble, the building's owner, said the plant recycled cans, bottles and paper products. He said the plant is rented out.

Blackened cans littered the ground. Although there were clouds of smoke over the market, it appeared that the market, a city landmark, escaped damage.

- Article courtesy of the Youngstown Vindicator

Photos and newspaper clipping courtesy of Dave Kloss