Dumpster Catches Fire near Rock & Main

Glen Rock Fire and Police crews had no problem controlling a late night dumpster fire before it caused any major damage last night.

The fire of unknown origin occurred shortly after 1 a.m. in a Waste Management dumpster just off Main Street near Rock Road. A local man and his companion first reported the small blaze to Glen Rock Police.

"We were driving up [Main Street], and she [his car passenger] said there was a fire," said David Engle. "I said nah, it's probably a controlled burn — but then, at 2 a.m.?"

A trio of GRPD officers was on the scene within minutes trying to contain the fire with small extinguishers from the trunks of their vehicles. The flames guttered and weakened, but flared back up.

Unable to completely put out the fire, one of the officers radioed the Glen Rock Volunteer Fire Department.

The town fire alarm rang out and a moment later, as the siren spun down, a fire truck arrived.

Four firefighters exited the truck — three in full protective gear, one operating the hoses — set up the rig and began hitting the dumpster fire with water, the force of the water scattering trash from the garbage receptacle about the scene.

The flare up was out minutes after and the dumpster, now clearly visible, had been melted in half.

The volunteer firefighters lit up the scene with halogen lamps attached to the top of the truck, washed down the scene and gathered up the fire hoses and headed back to the station.

All in another night's work for Glen Rock's first responders.