UPDATE: Cause of Marquette County landfill fire unknown

SANDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) - A fire broke out Thursday morning at the Marquette County Solid Waste Authority landfill.

Staff report they were notified of the fire around 5:30 a.m. They say authorities quickly took action.

Crews worked into the afternoon to control the fire burning on the south side of the landfill.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown. However, Director of Operations Brad Austin says the Solid Waste Authority is looking into types of materials put into the landfill that could have started it.

“With the size of this and the amount of area, obviously there’s some investigating we need to do to make a determination,” Austin said.

He says it sheds light on the importance of paying attention to what you throw out.

“You have household items, make sure we get them into the right programs, recycling programs or materials management programs,” said Austin. “It’s important.”

Sands, Chocolay, Marquette, and Negaunee Township fire departments were on scene battling the flames. The Marquette County Salvation Army was on hand to provide food for the first responders.

“We got the call at 7:30 this morning and were able to deploy right away,” said Salvation Army Captain Doug Winters. “We were able to serve sandwiches donated by McDonalds, we’ve got Lawry’s Pasties coming out for them for lunch, just trying to take care of them as they take care of us in the community.”

Around 10:30 a.m., firefighters had reduced the size of the fire. Austin said they would continue to work hard to put out the flames.

“We talk about frontline through COVID and these different situations. God bless these folks,” Austin said of the first responders. “They’re out here helping us; our staff’s working with them. We really appreciate all the assistance and we’re getting this thing under control.”

The solid waste facility remains open for public use.

Austin says the Solid Waste Authority intends to learn more about the cause of the fire, as well as the damage done, upon further investigation.

Original Story:

A fire is currently burning at the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority (MCSWMA) landfill.

There are few details being released. Director of Operations Brad Austin says multiple fire departments are on scene.

According to sources, the fire is significant in size. Fire departments are using tanker trucks to shuttle water to the scene of the fire.

TV6 will have more information as it becomes available.

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