Sedgwick County fire officials have determined the cause of a fire that burned for more than a week at a Park City recycling facility.
Investigators said spontaneous combustion occurred at the southeast corner of the most northern pile of wood debris. That happens when low ignition temperature materials, like wood, wood chips and mulch, self-heat and auto-ignite. Investigators said that was the only cause that could not be ruled out.
The fire broke out on October 30th and burned wood pallets and mulch over a ten-acre area at Evergreen Recycling near 53rd Street North and Broadway. Sedgwick County crews left the scene for good on Tuesday, November 8th.
The loss from the fire is estimated at $1 million in raw wood products. Sedgwick County Fire District 1 officials are still compiling information on the cost involved in putting the fire out. The district’s fire prevention division will work with Evergreen officials to take steps to prevent or quickly deal with any future fire events. Fire officials said the owner and employees at Evergreen played a critical role in helping to control the fire and eventually put it out.
[ photo: Sedgwick County Fire District 1 – Facebook ]
