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Cambridge Transfer Station Fire
April 11, 2008
From the Isanti County News
Fire departments from three local cities battled an early morning fire that caused considerable facility and equipment
damage at the Cambridge Transfer Station at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, April 6.
The facility, known as the Cambridge
Convenience Center under the East Central Solid Waste Commission, is located near the intersection of highways 95 and 12 east
of Cambridge.
With the cause unknown at this time, the commission is awaiting reports from the sheriff’s office
as well as fire responders. The commission is expected to address the fire at its regular meeting Monday in Mora.
Fire
departments from Cambridge, Braham and North Branch responded to the blaze, warranting much water and five hours to control.
The facility’s main refuse building was the source of the fire, which also damaged an 18-wheel hauler truck that had
been inside the building.
Fire responders were also concerned over a 500-gallon diesel fuel tank located next to the
affected building. Under close watch, it turned out to be a non-factor, noted a Cambridge volunteer firefighter this week.
In
the aftermath, according to the solid waste commission, a structural engineer was hired to determine the structural stability
of the building’s roof that was damaged. Engineers noted the roof’s steel beams are acceptable but the sheets
of steel are in need of replacement.
The commission is awaiting approval from the MPCA on an emergency operations plan
— that is, deciding on the use of the Convenience Center for accepting and loading mixed solid waste and/or the use
of the building without a permanent roof.
Haulers are currently delivering their loads to the Mora or Hinckley facilities.
The Cambridge location Convenience Center is open to private customers.
The East Central Solid Waste Commission will dicuss emergency transfer station operations at an emergency meeting at 3:30
p.m. Wednesday, April 23 from its Mora offices.
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