SECCRA - 20071008

20071008_fire October 9, 2007

Statement by William Stulken, general manager of the SECCRA Community Landfill:

Fire extinguisher

At approximately 8:20 PM last night, a small fire was discovered in the disposal area of the landfill. The flames were confined to a 50' x 50' area. We responded immediately with our "PPC Plan" (Protection, Prevention and Countermeasures Plan), and by calling the Fire department. The West Grove Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. Firefighters extinguished the flames in less than 15 minutes after arrival. Chester County Fire Marshall Russ Kilmer investigated the site and ruled that the fire was probably caused by a cigarette or something similar disposed in the trash.

Firefighters and our personnel monitored the scene for the next two hours and thoroughly doused the area several times with water as a precaution. At the direction of the Fire Department, our personnel covered the affected area with soil to help smother any possible remaining embers. We stationed our tanker truck (which is equipped with fire-fighting pumps and hoses) at the scene and our employees remained on site overnight to monitor the scene and make sure there was no subsequent fire.

This morning we excavated all of the burned material and doused it again with water. We then covered the material again with soil, and will monitor it for the next few days to make sure there are no flare-ups. We will then permanently bury the trash after we are confident that no danger of fire remains.

We wish to thank several conscientious neighbors of the landfill who quickly reported the fire, and to the West Grove Fire Department for their prompt response.