By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, City of Whitewater Second Assistant Fire Chief Joe Uselding provided an update on the “five alarm plus” fire at John’s Disposal that was called in at approximately 9:54 p.m. on Sunday, January 8. Highlights included:

• City Manager John Weidl and Uselding expressed appreciation to the city fire department staff and to the over thirty agencies (fire departments and other businesses) that assisted the department. John’s Disposal management personnel also helped. The outside support was needed due to the size of the incident, the cold conditions, and need for water to be brought to the scene. There is no water supply on the property other than for personnel use. Water was brought in from the adjacent cogeneration plant and also with the use of tender trucks transporting water from fire hydrants.
• No injuries were sustained.
• The department was successful in limiting the fire to one of several buildings on the property, and mobile equipment on the property was not significantly affected. The primary firefighting operation continued until approximately 2-3 a.m. Fire personnel are still monitoring the building to suppress hot spots, and will likely be on scene for a couple more days. There is no danger to the public and the DNR is monitoring any runoff from the incident.
• The building was used for the storage and sorting of materials that are to be recycled. Uselding estimated that the building’s size may be in excess of 15,000 square feet. It has multiple levels and contained a conveyor belt and various sorting units.
• Though a social media comment indicated that the fire appeared to have started in a restroom, Uselding indicated that it is not known where the fire started, and the cause is under investigation. There is not currently any inclination that it was suspicious in nature.
• The building was structurally compromised and had a partial collapse. Uselding indicated that the estimated value of the loss in building and contents is likely in the millions of dollars. It is not known what the company’s plans may be for replacement.
• Highway U is open.
• A message on the John’s Disposal website states, “One of our recycling facilities caught on fire in the evening on Sunday, January 8th. All routes will remain on their scheduled service day for the entire week of January 9th. Please note that service times may vary and that some recycling routes might be collected before the garbage routes. We give our sincerest thanks to the many firefighters who have been assisting us during this tough time.”