Fire damage at Recycling Center

May 01--Wayne County's Recycling Center may be closed for a while, but Solid

Waste Coordinator Tim Bell wants all local residents to know that the

program will remain strong. The building has sustained significant

smoke and heat damage from a vehicle that burned inside the facility

in the early morning hours of Monday, April 23.

Bell said that a Jeep, which had been pulled into the building over

the weekend, apparently shorted out and caught fire at about 12:30

a.m. Monday. The vehicle, which was destroyed by the fire, created a

tremendous amount of heat and smoke which filled the building.

The fire was discovered at approximately 6:50 a.m. Monday, when the

first employee arrived at the recycling center. Bell said the

employee was immediately exposed to a tremendous amount of heat and

smoke as he opened the front door, but no one was injured.

The Monticello Fire Department was notified at that time and

responded to the scene.

Bell and other county officials spent much of last week assessing

the damage, as well as options for the recycling program. The damage

inside the building is significant enough that insurance

representatives have visited in an effort to see whether it can be

repaired or needs to be replaced.

The Wayne County Recycling Center, which is located on Creekview

Drive behind Rite Aid, has been in that location for approximately

eight years. The program has grown significantly in that time frame,

and grant money has allowed the county to purchase nearly half a

million dollars worth of equipment that was being used at the

recycling center.

Bell was unsure last week what type of damage the equipment has

sustained. He said that each piece would have to be assessed to see

if wiring or any other damage had occurred due to the heat.

"This building will be closed until further notice," Bell said. "But

we are trying to keep the same services that have been available to

local residents. People need to keep recycling."

Wayne County Judge-Executive Mike Anderson stated that the cleaning

company contacted by the county continues to clean smoke damage and

more assessments of the building are expected.

"We have great cooperation with our insurance company, and

evaluations are being made as to what steeps to take going forward,"

said Anderson. "The main thing now is for our citizens to continue to

use the recycle bins as usual. This is a great service to our

community and a needed service."

Bell said that the numerous recycling trailers will still be located

around the county and he urged residents to continue to use them.

Since the recyclables cannot be processed at the local facility, he

said they will be transported to Pulaski County, where they will be

sorted.

He added that his staff will continue picking up cardboard from

local businesses as scheduled. Pulaski County will help with

compacting and transporting the recycled cardboard.

The large household item pickup will also continue, according to

Bell. He noted that the only change in the recycling program will be

with the processing of items, which will take place at another site.

More information about the future of the facility will be announced

at a later date. Anyone with questions about recycling should contact

Bell at (606) 307-5065.

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