MINOT, N.D. (AP) - Authorities said they will never know what started a large fire at a Minot recycling business, though they have some theories.
The blaze at Earth Recycling broke out about 11 a.m. on May 18. It produced heavy smoke that could be seen for miles. Witnesses said the fire started near a loading ramp.
Earth Recycling is located on the west side of Minot. It contained extensive piles of paper, cardboard and other flammable materials at the time of the fire.
Employees Echo Natschke and Donald Skalicky attempted to halt the fire with a fire extinguisher, but were unsuccessful. Skalicky told the investigators that the fire spread “very fast.”
Rex Welticol, Minot Rural Fire Department chief, said there was a delay in calling the fire department. He said that was probably due to the employees trying to extinguish the fire on their own.
“It still flares up every once in a while,” said Welticol. “We were there until 8 p.m. Monday night because of high winds and will do that for quite some time.”
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Ken Sisk said he couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause due to flare-ups and safety concerns. But he said the cause could be discarded smoking materials, or a pallet of flammable household items containing a box of mirrors.
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