Texarkana, Texas – Firefighters are reporting roughly 50% containment of a fire that ignited early Monday at the TWU Composting Facility on South State Line Avenue. The blaze, which began around midnight, has been burning through an acre of compost material, with flames reaching 10 to 15 feet high.
Cause and response
Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Chuck Weerts explained that the fire was likely the result of spontaneous combustion, a known risk when large piles of decomposing organic matter generate heat. “We’ve done several of these out here. It’s just kind of a natural thing that happens when you stack composting or degrading materials together—it creates heat,” Weerts said.
Fire crews quickly moved in, applying water to the affected area and separating the burning material to prevent further spread. “Members out here, they monitor all these piles. They have several fires pretty often and they deal with them by putting water on all of them, separating the material, getting it out. This one just got a little bit more deep‑seated and they didn’t get to it,” he added.
Containment efforts
Weerts noted that lower humidity and stronger winds were expected later Tuesday, conditions that could exacerbate the fire. “We’ve got concerns with the lower humidity coming in this afternoon and the storm coming in, the wind was supposed to kind of kick up. We’re trying to put all the barriers in place to make sure that we keep it contained where it’s at,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing vigilance of the fire department.
At the time of reporting, the fire was about half contained, with crews continuing to monitor the site and work on extinguishing the remaining hotspots.
Impact on the community
The TWU Composting Facility provides a critical service for local waste management, turning organic material into useful compost for agriculture and landscaping. While the fire has temporarily halted operations, officials expect the facility to resume normal activity once the blaze is fully extinguished and safety checks are completed.
Residents were advised to avoid the immediate area while the fire remains active, but no evacuations or road closures were reported. Local authorities continue to update the public as the situation evolves.
Looking ahead
Fire officials plan to conduct a thorough investigation after the fire is fully under control to determine the precise cause and to evaluate any additional safety measures that might reduce the risk of future spontaneous combustion events at composting sites.
For the latest updates, residents can follow the Texarkana Texas Fire Department’s social media channels or contact the department directly.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
