(Updated) Fire extinguished at landfill; cause under investigation

After more than 13 hours battling a fire at the Harold J. “Babe” Landry Landfill in Berwick, firefighters extinguished the fire and prevented any injuries or structure damage from occurring, Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur said.

Officials are still investigating what may have been the possible cause of the fire officials believe to have started shortly after midnight Wednesday, Arthur said.

The fire started small but eventually grew much larger. Firefighters cleared the scene at about 7 p.m. Wednesday after having fought the fire since before 6 a.m. Wednesday when the fire was discovered, Arthur said.

A west wind helped keep the fire and smoke away from any homes or other buildings. The smoke instead went into a marsh area.

Several fire departments assisted the Berwick Volunteer Fire Department in fighting the fire.

They ended up pumping water from a nearby bayou to finally extinguish the fire, the mayor said. Firefighters had to wear breathing apparatuses to protect them from noxious fumes.