Talbot Co. Recycling Center Catches Fire, Burning for Days

Image Courtesy of Office of Maryland State Fire Marshal

WYE MILLS, Md. – The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that ravaged a privately-owned recycling center over the weekend, burning for hours on end.

At 6:04 p.m. on May 2, 120 firefighters from fire companies in Talbot, Caroline, and Queen Anne’s counties responded to a massive garage fire at Dependable Sand & Stone Recycling, LLC, located on Ocean Gateway. The recycling center primarily recycles stone, concrete, and wood materials. As a result, fire department units arrived on-scene to find a two-story structure and surrounding large piles of mulch chips and lumber heavily involved with fire.

Image Courtesy of Easton Volunteer Fire Department

The Easton Volunteer Fire Department reported tankers using more than 120,000 gallons of water to keep attack lines flowing at the center.

The Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company says multiple explosions and collapse of the building resulted in crews solely conducting exterior operations. More units were requested on the second day of firefighting, as winds picked up in the area. Two dozers were utilized on scene to create a fire break, as a burn barrier was performed by Forestry to contain the fire.

Image Courtesy of St. Michaels Fire Department, Inc.

Due to the large amount of combustible materials involved, the fire was unable to be extinguished. Despite crews working overnight, the site continues to burn as of Monday morning. Officials say it will keep burning itself out within the containment lines Forestry established, and smoke and active fire will be visible in the area for some time. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and the property owners continue to monitor the area.

The total damage to the property is estimated to be valued at $80,000. The preliminary cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.