Charleston tire fire will be allowed to burn itself out

Thursday, March 27, 2014
Members of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Environmental Emergency Response Unit check on the tire fire as it continued to burn Wednesday west of Charleston. (Jill Bock, Staff)

CHARLESTON - A tire fire first discovered Tuesday evening could burn for days as it is allowed to burn itself out.

The Charleston Department of Public Safety received a call at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday about a fire west of the city limits. Responding officers found a large pile of tires on fire on the property of the Mississippi County Highway Department.

According to DPS Director Robert Hearnes, it is unknown exactly how many tires were burning, but the number is estimated in the thousands. He noted that the thick black smoke could be seen for miles.

"The wind and rural location made the fire almost impossible to extinguish," Hearnes said. "As of now, the fire will be allowed to burn itself out."

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Environmental Emergency Response Unit was notified and is assisting DPS with the incident.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: