NORWICH – Sparks created by contractors replacing a large machine were the cause of a fire at Chenango Memorial Hospital Tuesday.

Vern Harris, owner of Vern Harris Rigging Co. of Port Leyden, said his men were using a torch to cut away rusted bolts in the medical waste disposal area when sparks flew underneath part of the industrial shredder they were replacing, lighting waste paper and plastic on fire and sending a column of thick smoke into the air during the lunch hour that could be seen throughout the city.

Harris said he and his workers were unable to put out the flames themselves.

“Our fire extinguishers couldn’t get to it,” Harris said.

Although heavy smoke created by burning plastic billowed from the structure, the fire was relatively small, City of Norwich firefighters said. They were able to extinguish the blaze almost immediately.