The Knoxville News-Sentinel
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The response to the mulch fire that billowed thick smoke from Shamrock Organic Products for almost a week was scaled back Sunday as crews were released from duty at the Ailor Avenue site, a week after the blaze ignited.
According to a news release from Capt. D.J. Corcoran, spokesman with the Knoxville Fire Department, personnel and equipment from the Tennessee Forestry Division and Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority were released at 6 p.m. Sunday, while KFD has continued to gradually reduce the number of firefighters from 30 to now four at the 2501 Ailor Ave. site.
According to the news release, a CSX employee will remain at the railroad crossing on Ailor Avenue to ensure safety while workers cross the tracks.
City dump trucks will resume hauling brush from the 9-acre site beginning at 6 a.m. today, and have already hauled more than 100 truckloads away, Corcoran said.
Control of the property will be issued back to the owner when firefighting operations cease and it is determined once again to be safe, Corcoran said.
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