COLERAIN, Ohio — The massive fire at Rumpke's Colerain landfill on Sunday, according to a spokesperson, was likely caused by something flammable being placed incorrectly in the trash.
"Anytime we have a fire in a truck at the recycling facility or the landfill, it's usually caused by something that should not have come to the site to begin with," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said no official cause may ever be determined.
WATCH: Fire officials provide an update on what is being monitored after the fire
Fire crews successfully extinguished the fire, which broke out around 6:30 p.m. Sunday after a nearly two-hour battle with the flames.
"It was a significant fire," Colerain Fire Battalion Chief Tim Beach said. "It was brought under control relatively quickly."
According to the Colerain Township Fire Department, air monitoring units were in place and confirmed that there is no adverse air quality alert.
"We use pretty significant monitoring, pretty complicated equipment. We went around the entire facility, in the adjoining neighborhoods and communities, ran our own air monitoring stuff," Beach said. "And then we have a partnership with Hamilton County EPA and also Ohio EPA, and they also monitor the area."
The landfill remains operational for customers bringing loads to the site, and Rumpke service continues as normal.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
"We work hand (in) hand with the local fire departments to ensure we are ready and able to respond quickly and efficiently to ensure the safety of the public as well as the environment," Bill Cole, Rumpke safety manager, said in a release. "We appreciate the fast and professional response of the teams involved and will share updates with the public as more information is obtained."
Rumpke officials have notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Hamilton County General Health District.
"Today, what our focus on is excavating the area where the fire occurred — the trash from that area — and examining the landfill liner system that we have in place below the trash," a Rumpke spokesperson said. "Before we can put trash into a section of our landfill, we have to install a series of protective liners that starts with three feet of re-compacted clay followed by a layer of high-density polyethylene, which is a number two plastic, followed by a cushion layer, followed by a drainage layer."
