Fire Department Battles Large Mulch Fire On Horton Avenue

The Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department headed to the scene of a mulch fire, directly across the street from 222 Horton Avenue, early Wednesday morning.

According to Riverhead Fire Department spokesman Bill Sanok, the call came in at 6 a.m. about the mulch fire.

A mulch fire is formed when the pile of recycled organic waste, including branches, shrubs and leaves, spontaneously combusts. 

"It's self-starting," Sanok said. "It was a big fire."

The problem with a mulch fire is that it is covered and builds up intense heat, he said.

Mutual aid responded to the scene, with 100 firefighters coming from Manorville, Eastport, Westhampton Beach, Flanders, and Jamesport.

East Quogue responded and stood standby at the firehouse.

The fire was so large that a lot of manpower was needed to knock it down, Sanok added. The blaze was extinguished by 8:15 a.m., with responders heading home after an all clear was sounded at 8:30 a.m.