Firefighters from Broome and Tioga counties battle flames that tear through Taylor Recycling Plant in Owego.

4 or more buildings housing recyclables burn to the ground.

As Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us, it was a struggle for firefighters to put out the flames.

Smoke billows from the Taylor Recycling Plant in Owego from a fire that ripped through at least 4 warehouses.

The buildings house cardboard and plastic.

"I saw smoke starting to come out, out of the buildings, so I told one guy who was on the phone, you know your building's on fire?" says Jim Volz of Owego.

He was dropping off garbage at Taylor Recycling when the fire broke out.

"It was a very fast moving, as you can see the buildings are very close together." said Owego Fire Chief Tyler Boland.

Investigators cannot pinpoint where the fire started, but they say flames jumped from one building to the next.

Close to 150 firefighters were called to the scene.

Investigators say water supply was an issue.

Water had to be pumped from tankers stationed a half-mile away.

"We don't have any hydrants within a 4-mile radius, so we're hauling water back and forth."said Boland.

Volunteers were on hand to help cool the firefighters facing a hot fire on a hot day.

"We furnish them with Gatorade, water, cold towels, Give them some shade." said Joyce Gonwea of the Owego Emergency Squad.

Many neighbors were drawn to the fire.

They say these buildings have been around for decades.

"It's kinda bad because they don't have a place for storage anymore, ya know, it's pretty sad." said Gary Stephens of Owego.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

In Owego, Julianne Sweeney, WBNG-TV, Action News.