Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

RICHMOND, R.I. -- The mulch fire at Richmond Sand and Gravel continues to burn, although not as violently as on Sunday, as the owners of the mulch and the land work to contain it.

Hope Valley Fire District Chief Frederick Stanley said Monday that his fire department was "going back and forth" to help with flare-ups at the Stilson Road property, but the Oldcastle Lawn and Garden Co., which owns the mulch and leases the land, is working to contain the flames. The landowner, Richmond Sand and Gravel, is also helping, he said.

The fire, which started early Sunday afternoon, clouded the area with thick, black smoke that necessitated closing nearby Route 95 for a time and poured into the Richmond shopping center. No one was injured, but a dozen fire districts sent equipment to fight the blaze and needed to pump 300,000 gallons of water, according to Stanley.

Stanley said that state fire marshal was investigating the cause of the fire, and the state Department of Environmental Management was looking into whether the mulch pile, which stood 70 feet tall, was taller than allowed.

Stanley said it would probably take a day or two to break up the piles and stop all the burning.

 Tags  Richmond RI

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