PORT ANGELES — The Blue Mountain Transfer Station — a place for East Clallam County to take trash and recyclables — is closed until further notice after a Sunday fire destroyed it.
The transfer station is operated by Waste Connections under a contract with the city of Port Angeles.
Although city offices were closed Monday for Veterans Day, waste reduction specialist Helen Freilich left a telephone recording that said the transfer station on Blue Mountain Road about a mile south of U.S. Highway 101 is closed until further notice because of the fire.
Clallam County Fire District No. 3 is investigating the cause of the blaze that destroyed a business office, employee break room and roof that covered a large garbage container and large cardboard recycling container.
The contents of the cardboard container, which was nearly full, and the mostly-empty garbage container also were on fire.
Fire District No. 3 spokesman Patrick Young said the fire was reported at 6:40 p.m. Sunday.
About 20 firefighters from Clallam County Fire District Nos. 3 and 2 battled the blaze and mopped up hotspots over about two hours.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Clallam County Public Utility District also responded.
Nearly 90 percent of the building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
“They had to cut a padlock and a chain fence surrounding the facility to get into it,” Young said.
As crews tackled the fire, a large pressure tank inside the building exploded in a “boom” that could be heard in the area, Young said.
What remains of the structure needs to be secured before the facility can reopen, Young said.
There was no cost estimate of the loss Monday.
While the Blue Mountain Transfer Station is closed, garbage and recyclables can be taken to the Port Angeles Regional Transfer Station at 3501 W. 18th St. on the west side of Port Angeles
The Port Angeles transfer station is open Mondays through Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.