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Resident voices health concerns after mulch pile self-ignites near Smyrna neighborhood
Summary
A Smyrna resident told the council she and her family experienced prolonged smoke in their home after a nearby development’s mulch pile self‑ignited; town staff and the fire department described steps taken and said the developer did not intend to burn the material.
A Smyrna resident told the Town Council workshop that smoke from nearby land clearing and a separate backyard bonfire filled her home for several weeks, prompting town staff and the fire department to investigate.
Jenny Hale Porter, who identified herself as a Smyrna resident, told the council she and her husband experienced smoke in their bedroom and that the smoke persisted “for almost up to 4 and a half weeks.” She said her husband, who has been receiving medical care, was in the bedroom when she noticed the smoke and she raised the matter with town staff.
Town staff described two likely sources. “They had no intention whatsoever to, to burn that pile. However, it did self ignite,” said Dave (staff member), explaining that a large mulch pile from adjacent development had spontaneously ignited as crews prepared erosion control. He said fire department staff worked “swiftly to manage that” and that the pile had been extinguished for more than a week by the time of the workshop. James Lawrence of the fire department also was commended by the speaker for responding and “eyeball[ing] it.”
Council members and staff also noted other possible contributors to the smoke, including a neighbor’s bonfire pit and burning outside the town limits. Dave said the town did “everything that we could within the town limits to work with her.”
Porter told the council she has documented the location and provided a map to the town manager. She requested that council members review a written memo she left with staff describing the incident and suggested the town follow up on mailing‑address issues that complicated delivery of notices to her household.
The topic was raised during the meeting’s public comment period. Council members acknowledged receipt of Porter’s email and staff follow‑up; the council did not take formal action at the workshop but staff reported they had inspected the site and coordinated with the developer and fire personnel.
Porter concluded by thanking the fire department and asking the council to contact her if they wanted additional details.
