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Chappaqua Fire Department Issues Advisory About Smoke Odor

This story has been updated.

Photo Credit: File photo

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. -- Smoke odor in the vicinity of Hardscrabble Road and Chappaqua Road Friday evening is from an extinguished mulch fire in Mount Pleasant from Thursday, the Chappaqua Fire Department said.

With the reduction of the stagnant air and humidity, residents can expect the odor to dissipate but those close to the area may continue to experience the odor.

On Thursday, the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department and other mutual aid departments responded to a report of a rubbish fire, according to Briarcliff Manor Fire Chief Dennis Reilly.

They found an organic waste pile was on fire and after fighting the fire for most of the morning, they were able to put out the fire, Reilly said.

On Friday morning, fire crews were called back when the same pile of organic waste caught on fire again, Reilly said.

"Due to the nature of organic waste, it spontaneously combusts due to the heat caused by decomposition," Reilly said

The fire department turned over the scene to the town and a private contractor, Reilly said. The contractor cut a "fire break" around the pile and continued to break apart the pile with an excavator throughout the day, Reilly said. The town also brought in water via tanker trucks and continued to extinguish hot spots as needed, Reilly said.

Reilly said there was no timetable for when the fire will be completely extinguished.

"Due to this, residents will most likely see and smell smoke in the area thru-out the weekend and into next week," Reilly said.

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