Garbage fire closes South Seattle transfer station

SEATTLE — A transfer station is closed after a garbage fire there Friday morning.

The fire broke out at the South Transfer Station at 130 South Kenyon Street, at about 12:45 a.m. Friday.  At 9:30 a.m.,Seattle fire said the fire was 70 percent contained.

While the station is closed, Seattle Public Utilities is asking self-haul customers to take their garbage to the utilities’ old transfer station, at 8100 2nd Ave. S., which is adjacent to the new station. Compost and recycling cannot be accepted at the old station Friday.

Seattle fire has a mobile ventilation unit at scene to blow out smoke.

Firefighters said smoke from the fire is affecting visibility on roads about a quarter-mile south of the station near the First Avenue Bridge/State Route 509.

Director of Solid Waste, Ken Snipes, said fires occasionally occur at garbage transfer stations, and the new station is built to withstand them. Damage to the station -- if any -- has not yet been assessed.

Cox Media Group