UPDATE: It took roughly four hours to bring a fire under control at T&R Environmental Services Haz Mat building, after it broke out Thursday afternoon.

Bath Volunteer Fire Department officials say by the time they got back in quarters and the equipment was in ready condition for calls, it was approximately 11:30 p.m.

According to a release, Assistant Chief Sean Walruth was the first on scene, and immediately started calling for mutual aid tankers for water and manpower.

Originally, the Haz Mat building was fully involved in flames and heavy black smoke. Authorities say there were several large fireballs that went high into the sky from the barrels of oil that that were exploding.

Officials say the dispatch building on Route 415 was saved, but the intense heat got into the Fred Roberts Auto building, totally engulfing that structure, as well.

T&R Owner Brian Polmanteer extends his gratitude to all the departments and everyone who can to help. He says he is grateful none of his employees or any of the firefighters were seriously hurt.

Bath Volunteer Fire Department officials say they are thankful for all the mutual aid provided by other departments. Gratitude is also extended to local businesses and a neighbor that came and donated food and water to the firefighters:

  • Save-A-Lot
  • Rico’s Pizza
  • Angry Oven Pizza
  • Pizza D
  • Big D’s & Chef T’s
  • Pilot Truck Stop
  • Southern Tier Provisions
  • Maybe Baby Burgers
  • Tractor Supply
  • Mary Seager

UPDATE: The Bath Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Route 415 in Bath was blocked off for hours Thursday evening for a large fire at a business. The Bath Fire Department says it happened at T&R Towing. The fire initially started at a Haz Mat building at the business, sometime around 2:30 pm.  In total, 16 departments had to be called in, and nine departments from two different counties were on standby. Officials says one worker had a minor injury and was given a check over by EMT's. 

"The towing company itself and the repair center was not affected.   The main part that's affected is the environmental service that T & R offers," says Matt Glashauser, Fire Chief at the Bath Fire Department. 

Route 415 was blocked off for several hours and some residents did have to evacuate their homes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

BATH, N.Y. (WENY) -- Multiple fire crews responded to a large fire that broke out at T&R Towing in Bath Thursday afternoon. 

Calls for the fire, which happened on State Route 415, first went out around 3:00 p.m. 

According to WENY's on-scene reported, it's currently unknown what caused the fire, but police did say it was a hazmat situation. 

Parts of State Route 415 were closed Thursday evening as crews battled the fire. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.