Before daylight this morning, the Trenton fire department was called to the Rapid Removal transfer station at 86 Northwest 10th Avenue for what was described as a trash trailer that was on fire.
Crews were on scene for a little over an hour extinguishing the fire and investigating the cause. Assistance was provided by the Grundy County Rural Fire Protection District.
When the initial fire was controlled, the contents of the trailer were removed and overhauled, assuring that the fire was completely out and would not rekindle later. The department noted minimal damage to the trailer, apart from the tarp which had covered the top.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a paint booth filter. A spokesman for the fire department explained spontaneous combustion can occur in paint booth filters, requiring only sufficient quantities of heat and oxygen. The spokesman described it as a common cause of fires in dumpsters, waste disposal trucks, and landfills.
The Trenton fire department advises persons who dispose of such waste to make sure filters and the paints they contain are completely dry prior to disposal. It was noted the paint on the filter may need to cure for a period of time to ensure it’s completely dry.
(story was updated to include details of the fire, provided by the fire department)
