A smoldering pile of debris

at a mulching facility in Fayetteville cannot be extinguished by firefighters,

prompting concern for citizens in the area who suffer from respiratory

problems.

Emergency officials recommend

anyone suffering from respiratory illness or difficulty to stay indoors

and keep windows and doors shut. Anyone especially sensitive to the smoke

should temporarily evacuate to another area not affected by the smoke,

and 911 should be called for any respiratory emergency, officials said.

Fayetteville firefighters have

indicated they will closely monitor the area because they cannot put the

fire out. They have, however, made sure the fire was contained and organic

debris around the mulch pile was moved away so the fire couldn't

get worse.

As a result of the fire, D&S

Environmental has been shut down by the state Environmental Protection

Division, which regulates these types of facilities. The agency has ordered

owner Dan Stinchcomb to cease receipt of all materials to be "processed,

stored or otherwise held at the facility."

The EPD also has ordered D&S

to immediately take whatever actions are necessary to eliminate the smoke

from the burning material, including excavation of the burning material

so it may be extinguished or covering the burning area with sufficient

clean soil to inhibit burning and eliminate smoke leaving the facility.

The flames in the mulch pile

cannot be totally extinguished due to the remote location of the pile,

unstable ground conditions and the depth of the smoldering debris, city

fire officials said.

The fire was ignited Tuesday

process, said Sgt. Bill Rieck of the Fayetteville Fire Department.

The facility is located on

First Manassas Mile and smoke from the fire has been reported as thick

at times in nearby neighborhoods.

Back

to News Home Page |