*** WATCH *** Firefighters battled a raging “volcanic-like” stump...

SOUTH DENNIS – A raging stump dump fire kicked back up a second time at S&J EXCO last evening.

S&J EXCO, located at 200 Great Western Road, is a popular resource for landscapers, receiving tons of disposed-of tree and yard debris, which is eventually broken down and turned into mulch.

Crews were at “S&J” earlier during the daylight hours where they used a master stream device, capable of delivering 500 gallons of water per minute onto the fire, according to a Dennis FD media statement from earlier yesterday. The intent was to dampen the fire. An S&J excavator was also used to pull apart the pile to make it easier to extinguish.

According to the Dennis FD media statement, winter dry air combined with stiff breezes enhances spontaneous combustion in the large stump/mulch piles. S&J typically uses water sprinklers to prevent pile fires, but recent frigid temperatures reportedly froze these irrigation cooling systems, rendering them ineffective.

The following HN Video highlights the immensity of the firefighters’ task last evening. The shots were taken at around 11:30 p.m. while crews were right in the middle of a vigorous confrontation with the volcanic-like situation.

At the time of this report, approximately 2:15 a.m., crews were still working the scene, with heavy smoke still billowing… and no immediate end in sight.

UPDATE: As of 2:40 a.m., firefighters were still working the scene and were expected to be on scene for at least a couple more hours. Command was considering having the Red Cross respond to help provide relief… the temperature at the time of this update was about 18 degrees Fahrenheit…

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]