Large Mulch Fire At Westfield Conservation Center: Fire Dept.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Fire Department put out a large mulch fire that occurred at the Conversation Center on Saturday, according to a Facebook post from the department.

The Fire Department found a large column of smoke emerging from the center of the recycling center at around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday. Upon further investigation, crews found three 20 x 100 foot long piles of mulch burning.

Fire crews then established a positive water source and multiple master streams were deployed to put out the fire, according to the Department.

The Department of Public Works also arrived at the scene with heavy machinery to assist in moving extinguished mulch piles.

Union County Fire Mutual Aid companies were staged at Westfield's Fire Headquarters to cover the town for additional calls.

The Conservation Center was closed at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported, according to the Fire Department.

The Fire Department continued working on the scene well into the evening, with all units ultimately clearing the incident at 11 p.m.

The fire was not deemed suspicious in nature, according to the Department.

"Spontaneous combustion can happen when a decomposing material generates enough heat to ignite without an outside source," the Department wrote. "Mulch and wood chips are products, which are constantly decomposing, generating high temperatures. Because of this, a large enough pile of mulch or chips, can create sufficient heat to spontaneously combust."

For more information on fire safety, contact the Westfield Fire Prevention Bureau at fireprevention@westfieldnj.gov.