Massive mulch fire burns on Detroit’s west side, “smoke billowing”

DETROIT (WWJ) A massive mulch fire is burning on Detroit’s west side.

Detroit fire officials told WWJ’s Mike Campbell the flames broke out in the mulch pile on Tuesday (8/20) around 6 p.m. in the area of Livernois and the Lodge. Campbell reported the smell is so strong it's hard to breathe, and the "billowing smoke" is noticeable as far away as Windsor.

The mulch pile is 20 feet high and 500 yards wide, according to Detroit Fire Department 4th Battalion Chief Reginald Harper.

The pile is a product Detroit Mulch, on Prairie at Linden, located in the backyard of Young & Champagne Electrical Sales.

It’s burned before, and their only recourse is to throw water on it, Jordan Goza of Anglin Civil told our Mike Campbell.

“It (the water) will seep through eventually,” Goza said to him.

According to Goza, the pile contains trees, leaves, brush and compost.

Harper told Campbell they've been rotating firefighters every three hours since 6 p.m. Tuesday to battle the flames.

No injuries have been reported.

This is a developing story. Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 on air, online and on the Audacy app for the latest information.