Mulch Fire Burning Five Days In Unincorporated New Lenox Now Out

NEW LENOX, IL — A mulch fire in unincorporated New Lenox that began Friday finally put out Tuesday, according to the company where the mulch fire happened.

New Lenox Fire Protection District crews responded to the fire at approximately 6 a.m. Friday at 815 Mulch It, located just south of the intersection of Laraway and Spencer Roads, according to NLFPD officials. Crews remained on the scene to help put out the fire for the next five days, officials said.

The cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion, according to 815 Mulch It.

The fire was thought to be out at least eight different times during that period, New Lenox Fire District posted on its Facebook page.

"There is no danger to any structures and the company is doing the best they can to limit the amount of smoke from the situation," NLFPD posted Sunday.

NLFPD first posted on Facebook about the mulch fire at 9:35 a.m. Sunday, more than 48 hours from when crews responded to the scene.

The Village did not send out an alert to residents because the fire is in unincorporated New Lenox, which is Will County's jurisdiction, according to Village officials.

Fire crews were "in frequent contact with the company who continues to actively monitor the situation and they are still working to spread and cool the mulch," according to Sunday's Facebook post.

The mulch was untreated and contained no chemicals, according to 815 Mulch It; however, those who feel that they were harmed by the fire should make a claim with their homeowner's insurance, 815 Mulch It advised.