DENNIS – Dennis firefighters spend much of Wednesday afternoon battling a fire in the mulch pile at the Dennis Transfer Station off Theophilus F. Smith Road. No injuries were reported. Yarmouth and Harwich firefighters covered the Dennis station while crews were tied up.
Video by Carl R. Jacobs/CWN
The Dennis Fire Department tells Cape Wide News they responded to the Town of Dennis Landfill at 100 Theophilus F. Smith Rd at 2:22 PM for a reported fire in the Leaf and Grass drop off area of the facility. Arriving fire units found approximately 50 % of the a 300 ft x 100 ft pile of material burning, about 25 ft high, being driven by strong winds and deep seated, requiring additional numerous Dennis Fire units and off duty personnel for the attack and extinguishment. The fire was reportedly expanding rapidly to the nearby wood line. Dennis Public Works personnel assisted firefighters with a front end loader to help with the extinguishment process. In addition at the scene, fire personnel were assisted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) District 1 Forest Fire Warden, 2 District DCR Forestry Units and the DCR tanker truck. A large caliber water supply line was laid from the facilities fire hydrant using a large caliber deck gun and multiple handlines by firefighters. The American Red Cross supplied rehabilitation to Fire and Public Works units working the fire.
The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:50 PM and all Dennis units cleared the scene at 5:08 PM.
Mutual aid Station coverage was provided by Yarmouth, Harwich and Brewster Fire Dept to fill the Dennis Stations. There were no injuries.
Dennis Fire and Public Works worked in unison to keep the facility open to the public as much as possible during the firefighting operation. While there was heavy traffic and activity in and out of the transfer area during the operation, there were only slight delays to the public as traffic was being monitored and redirected around the evolutions.
The Fire Department commends the quick action and cooperation of Dennis Public Works personnel in notifying the Fire Department quickly as well as their heavy equipment to help move sections of the piles for firefighter extinguishment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Photo by Dennis Fire/CWN
