PURPOSE: To provide an apparatus for cutting scrap iron which is capable of safely cutting the scrap iron, etc., and uses gaseous oxygen having low danger of environment pollution.

CONSTITUTION: This apparatus has a pit 4 in the form of a water channel filled with water beneath a cutting bench 1. This cutting bench 1 is provided with a spacing to allow the fall of cut slag directly into the water in the pit 4. A cutting zone, more particularly a torch, is completely housed in a large leaktight storage container 5. The inside of the container is provided with at least one suction food for evacuating the vapors, brown smoke and dust emitted during the cutting operation. The apparatus is connected to a unit the treating the smoke, for dust removal and for denitrification.