Commerce : Fire Doused in Garbage Pit at Generating Plant

Sparks from a welder’s torch started a fire in the garbage pit of the Commerce refuse-to-energy plant Tuesday, but the blaze was extinguished before it caused any damage or injuries, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Michael Wolfe said.

Plant officials were forced to shut down the plant until dry refuse could be brought in to fuel the high-tech incinerator, Project Manager Michael Selna said.

Municipal garbage is collected in the pit and then burned in another chamber to heat water, which drives a steam generator. The plant is capable of producing enough electricity to provide power to 20,000 homes.

The fire was the third to erupt in the garbage pit in three months. The causes of the other fires are unknown, but officials say it is not unusual for municipal trash to contain a smoldering cigarette.

After the first fire on March 7, the Los Angeles County Fire Department warned plant officials that they needed to move quickly to make planned improvements in the facility’s firefighting system. Selna said the Fire Department is reviewing the design of those improvements, which should be completed within two months.