The recycling center at the Hernando County landfill is a total loss after fire raced through the facility on April 8. While the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, recyclable items will continue to be picked up at the curb.
According to a written statement from the Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR), just before 6 a.m. on Sunday, an employee reporting for work at the Hernando County landfill, 14450 Landfill Rd, Brooksville, called 9-1-1 to report that the Recycling Center was on fire.
At the scene, responding crews found the building heavily engaged in fire and partially collapsed.
Because no fire hydrants are at or near the facility’s rural location, water tankers were called to the scene to battle the blaze.
In all, it took crews nearly two hours to bring the fire under control.
No injuries were reported in connection to the incident.
According to Hernando County Public Information Coordinator Dominique Holmes, the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office in Tampa.
“Also, the County is currently assessing the damage and reviewing options for recycling,” Holmes said.
Meanwhile, residents may still recycle appropriate items at the curb. Once per week, curbside recycling is included for current subscribers of trash services from Republic Services at no additional cost.
Hernando County Utilities Department is also actively working to determine future recycling processing plans at the facility, Holmes said.
“The County is using best efforts to take care of the recycling and will let the public know when we have an update,” she said.
The fire and the County’s response to it will be on the April 11 Board of County Commission meeting agenda.
View the meeting at www.HernandoCounty.us/WatchNow
