Fire at Upstate Shredding claims the life of employee

By Wendy Post

The community is mourning a loss following a fire at Upstate Shredding that occurred the day before Halloween at the Owego plant. Thirty-two year old Timothy J. Ryder Jr., of Barton, N.Y., was one of two employees trapped inside a motor room during the fire at the large-scale metal processing facility, located on 1 Recycle Dr. in Owego, New York.

The fire was reported at approximately 5:50 p.m. Multiple crews responded, including the Campville Fire Department, Owego Fire Department, South Side Fire Company, Newark Valley Fire Department, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, and Tioga County Emergency Services.

According to the Campville Fire Department, Engine 302 arrived first and encountered heavy fire conditions that evening.

“Although there was zero visibility and extreme heat, firefighters made a rapid and aggressive interior entry to search for victims while simultaneously initiating a fire attack,” the department wrote in a statement.

Once inside, one victim was located and removed from the structure by first responders, and the initial crew began immediate lifesaving care. “Unfortunately, despite the determined efforts of our crew, the individual could not be revived,” the department wrote.

At 8:23 p.m., the facility’s owner, Adam Weitsman, posted on social media, “Tonight, regrettably we had an electrical fire in the motor room at our Owego NY shredder which took the life of a valued and beloved teammate,” confirming that things had turned tragic, and added, “Please pray extra hard for his family.”

As of this report, the fire remains under investigation.

As for the friends and family of Timothy Ryder, they are mourning.

On a social media post that announced services, “You will be missed, Timmy,” “Fly high with the angels,” and prayers for the family and the Upstate Shredding owner and Ryder’s co-workers were the sentiments that resounded.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Estey, Munroe and Fahey Funeral Home, located at 15 Park Street in Owego. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

You can read the full obituary at https://emfaheyfuneralhome.com/.