New Lenox mulch fire enters 4th day

Fire crews and 815 Mulch It were still working to put out a fire among piles of mulch that has lasted four days.

Clouds of white-yellowish smoke from the mulch near Spencer and Laraway roads were still pouring into the air as of Monday afternoon. The smoke was blowing in the northwest direction of 815 Mulch It at 2085 S. Spencer Road.

Crews with the New Lenox Fire Protection District and 815 Mulch It were still working to spread the piles of mulch and break them up into smaller amounts to extinguish the fires.

Fire trucks, an ambulance and a bulldozer were at the location.

About 3 p.m., New Lenox fire officials said they were hopeful the smoke will continue to decrease throughout the day.

The fire was a result of a spontaneous combustion, said Shawn Matthews, owner of 815 Mulch It. Matthews said there is no risk of hazardous substances getting in the air because the mulch is just wood.

Marisa Schrieber, the fire department’s spokeswoman, said Matthews’ company “has been there 24/7 since we received the first emergency call to the scene.”

“They have been working very closely with us to put out the mulch fire,” Schrieber said.

Matthews said 815 Mulch It keeps an eye on its mulch piles to put out fires before they get out of hand and also has a fire suppression system. But the system relies on a pond on the property for water and the pond has frozen over, he said.

Fire officials said used more than an estimated 30,000 gallons of water to put out the fire.