The Brown County Sanitary Landfill caught fire Sunday night. The landfill is located a few miles south of Essig off County Road 11. The fire call came in around 9 p.m. and large smoke plume was visible for several miles. Fire crews were on site for over an hour battling the fire. In addition to water hoses a landfill bulldozer was used to help smother the fire. By 10 p.m. the fire had diminished in size by fire fighters soon doused the flames. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time. Agencies responding included the New Ulm, Hanska and Sleepy Eye Fire Departments, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and Mathiowetz Construction.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt

The Brown County Sanitary Landfill caught fire Sunday night. The landfill is located a few miles south of Essig off County Road 11. The fire call came in around 9 p.m. and large smoke plume was visible for several miles. Fire crews were on site for over an hour battling the fire. In addition to water hoses a landfill bulldozer was used to help smother the fire. By 10 p.m. the fire had diminished in size by fire fighters soon doused the flames. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time. Agencies responding included the New Ulm, Hanska and Sleepy Eye Fire Departments, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and Mathiowetz Construction.