It’s not known what caused a fire at the Allen County Landfill on Sunday afternoon, but there’s some speculation that fireworks could be the reason.
The fire started in the middle of the landfill collection site, on top of the mountain of trash, Public Works Director Mitch Garner said.
Crews don’t know how the fire started, but Garner said he believes it’s possible a firework — perhaps something like a sky lantern that can carry a flame for several miles — may have landed on the pile.
The fire was reported at about 2:10 p.m. Temperatures at the time were in the upper 90s, creating even more challenges for fire crews who responded.
The fire appeared to be under control at about 8 p.m., but flames flared up a couple of hours later. All hot spots were under control by 2 a.m. Monday.
A landfill fire brings special concerns for firefighting, Garner and Jason Trego, emergency management director, said.
Landfill crews are careful not to accept “hot” material, Garner said. For example, if someone discards a burn barrel, landfill staff will wash it to make sure it is cool before it is added to the stack of trash.
The collected trash contains highly combustible material, such as various types of plastics. Burning that material could release dangerous gasses.
An even bigger threat lies under the pile. As the trash decomposes, it releases methane gas. When methane burns, it releases carbon dioxide and water, and creates a great deal of heat.
“That’s why we tried to get it out quickly,” Garner said. “If that methane gas caught on fire, it would burn forever.”
In response, fire fighting crews were determined to drown and smother the fire. They poured water on top, then pushed off the burned trash and covered it with dirt.
“There’s so much fuel out there, the only way to beat it was just drown it,” Trego said.
Fire crews set up a “drop tank,” essentially a large pool where tankers could dump water. Firefighting crews could quickly pull water from the pool and a nearby pond. 
Crews did not seem to suffer ill effects from the burning trash. Garner said there were reports of coughing and congestion, but no one required medical treatment.
The hot temperature also raised concerns for the safety of firefighters. Trego supplied water and ice, and EMS crews offered their vehicles for air-conditioned breaks.
At one point, a thunderstorm moved into the area. It brought lighting and heavy rain for a brief time.
