Trash Compactor Catches Fire In Melville Apartment Building

A fire broke out in a trash compactor inside a Melville apartment building on Tuesday afternoon, fire officials say.

The Melville Fire Department responded to the Avalon Court Apartments on Republic Road and used a winch to remove the compactor, which was on fire, from the building at 3:20 p.m. It took firefighters about 90 minutes to fully extinguish the burning contents inside the compactor.

There were two engines, a heavy rescue truck, tree ambulances and 20 fire/rescue personnel on the scene. Units were under the direction of Assistant Chiefs David Kaplan and Bill Schmitt.

Photos Courtesy Melville FD, details in story provided in a press release from public information officer Steve Silverman