By Jim Balloch
The Knoxville News-Sentinel

WEST KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — County officials estimate the job of putting out an underground fire at an illegal West Knox County dump site is probably more than halfway completed, but they say none of the material dumped there has been hauled away yet.

There is no evidence of any dangerous or toxic materials in the site, a large pit on Tedford Road, which contains mostly "demolition debris" such as trees, shrubs, tree stumps and concrete, Knox County Engineer Bruce Wuethrich said late last week.

Wuethrich said that a tire, a washing machine and some "small quantities" of pipe also have turned up during the excavation, which is being done to reach the veins of underground fire, but there is no indication of industrial dumping.

"I think we are definitely past the halfway point" as far as putting the fi res out, he said. In December, smoke from the fi re led to the temporary evacuation of six residences. Neighbors have long complained of odors from the site. "Mostly what we have out there now is steam," Wuethrich said. "It looks like we may be getting close to the end." He said he could not give an estimate of when the job will be fi nished. Once all of the fires are out, a decision will be made regarding removal of the dumped material, Wuethrich said.

Renfro Construction Co., contracted to excavate the dump site, is authorized to haul off any of the material it needs to in order to reach the fires, but so far that has not been necessary, Wuethrich said.

Several people have called the News Sentinel with various suggestions as to sources of the dumped material, and Wuethrich said he has been told of some possible sources.

"But we have not unearthed anything that will be able to tie any of it to anyone," he said. "It will take an eyewitness, or more likely a confession. And I doubt that's going to happen."

Wuethrich estimated total costs to the county, so far, at $170,000 to $180,000. The county had to hire an environmental consulting firm in the early stages of the fire and had to hire Renfro at $5,000 per day because the county's own equipment was not adequate for the job.

Wuethrich said the county will seek reimbursement from property owner Ronald Woody.

Tests of well water around the dump showed no toxicity. Air-quality samples have been taken and sent to the Environmental Protection Agency, where tests are still ongoing.

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