MURRIETA - Murrieta Firefighters responded to 41400 Date Street at 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, for multiple reports of smoke and flames showing from a business that collects materials for recycling.

The first crews arrived within seven minutes to find smoke coming from the building.

Seventeen Murrieta firefighters with assistance from eight Cal Fire firefighters extinguished the fire at 5:06 pm.

The cause of the fire was from welding equipment which ignited a small tractor in the facility. Smoke from the fire also caused damage to the structure.

The initial damage assessment was estimated to be $35,000 dollars. Occupants were located in the front of the building in the office portion, but were unaffected by the fire.