COLUMBUS, Ind. – A discarded battery ignited a rubbish fire at the Columbus Post Office Wednesday morning. The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) was called to the post office at 450 Jackson St., at around 8:45 a.m.
As firefighters were en route, dispatchers relayed that a powdery substance spill had been collected by postal employees and discarded into a rubbish container on the loading dock, which was now producing light smoke.
When crews arrived, they found that some employees had discharged a dry chemical fire extinguisher into a canvas rubbish collection bag. CFD inspected the bag and determined the smoldering fire was extinguished.
Firefighters then directed the investigation to identify if the fire was caused by a hazardous materials chemical reaction. Working with U.S. Postal Service personnel, they determined that the spilled powder was a sodium bicarbonate pool treatment, which is not considered a hazardous chemical.
An inspection of one 9-volt battery showed signs of damage consistent with a short circuit. Firefighters surmised that at least one battery came in contact with other metal items or batteries and created a smoldering fire in the rubbish container. Damages were isolated to the canvas rubbish bag and no injuries were reported.