This report was updated with new information.
There are no air quality concerns after a large fire broke out and was contained at the Rumpke Sanitary Landfill on Sunday, according to the Colerain Township Fire Department.
A spokesperson for Rumpke said fire units responded to the landfill around 6:30 p.m. Sept 14 for reports of a fire in the heaps.
The fire was contained around 8:09 p.m., according to the company.
The fire burned on about one to two acres of the landfill, the company said. It was in the household waste section of the landfill, but was close to the lining that separates the section from tire waste.
According to some witness reports, dark smoke plumes could be seen from over two miles away.
Air monitoring units were sent to affected areas but there were no air quality concerns, according to the fire department, which said it was working with Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency on testing and monitoring.
There were no reported injuries.
The company has not released an official cause of the fire but said it could be flammable items like propane tanks or lithium-ion batteries.
“A variety of items such as fireworks, charcoal, propane tanks and other electronics with lithium-ion batteries can combust in trash collection trucks, recycling centers or landfills,” the company said in a statement.
Rumpke’s Colerain Township Landfill is only permitted to receive trash from homes and businesses.
Hazardous waste is not permitted at the site. Rumpke said it has taken steps to notify the Hamilton County General Health District and the Ohio EPA.
The company said it worked with the Colerain Township, Ross Township and Riley Township fire departments to bring the fire under control. “We work hand and hand with the local fire departments to ensure we are ready and able to respond quickly and efficiently to ensure the safety of the public as well as the environment,” said Area Rumpke Safety Manager Bill Cole.
Enquirer media partner Fox19 contrinuted to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Colerain fire department: No air quality concerns after fire contained at Rumpke landfill
Reporting by Enquirer staff / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
