Scores of Firefighters Fight Maryland Mulch Blaze

April 25, 2013
Firefighters called to Ritchie's Landfill in Upper Marlboro on Wednesday evening found a 100-foot long, 30-foot high pile of mulch burning.

UPPER MARLBORO (AP) - Scores of firefighters have been working overnight to extinguish a massive burning pile of mulch at a landfill in Prince George's County.

Firefighters called to Ritchie's Landfill in Upper Marlboro on Wednesday evening found the 100-foot long, 30-foot high pile of mulch burning and more than 100 firefighters were still trying to control the blaze Thursday morning.

Fire department spokesman Mark Brady says wind gusts of up to 30 mph spread embers to nearby brush.

Brady says the effort is also being complicated by the lack of water in the remote spot. He says tanker trucks have been called in from area airports and military bases, but they have to refill at a hydrant two miles away.

The cause isn't yet clear, but Brady says spontaneous combustion is a possibility.

Copyright 2013 Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.All Rights Reserved

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