ROCKPORT — A fire in the debris and wood pile at Midcoast Solid Waste Transfer Station was quickly extinguished Tuesday evening, but Rockport firefighters remained on scene after to ensure nothing smoldered below.

Smoke rose over the transfer station just before 6 p.m., visible for several miles inland. Golfers on the Goose River Golf Course noted the black plume, and when firefighters arrived at the facility, which had closed for night, they found a blanket of fire spreading rapidly over a 55 to 60-square-foot area.

“We are not sure how it ignited,” said Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley.

The debris hill is behind the transfer station, and is where commercial and residential construction material and other nonhazardous waste is deposited. The hill is destined to be eventually closed and capped with dirt.

Firefighters used approximately 2,000 gallons of water to stop the fire.

A representative of Midcoast Solid Waste used a bulldozer and stirred up the burned material to ensure all had been extinguished. 

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657.