```
The Knox County Compost Facility briefly closed due to a fire on Wednesday, but it reopened by Thursday. The incident occurred at their Thayer Road location in Mount Vernon.
The incident started with an issue involving the grinding equipment at the site.
A fire with the grinding equipment at the county facility required firefighters to respond on Nov. 15, according to a Facebook post by Knox County Recycling & Litter Prevention.
Further investigation revealed that an accident with a contractor's machinery was to blame for the fire.
An accident with the contractor's equipment caused it to catch fire, according to a Facebook post by Knox County Recycling & Litter Prevention. Knox County residents dropping off their leaves for composting should stay clear of the equipment. Grinding should resume next week.
In spite of this setback, services continue for local residents.
The Knox County Yard Waste and Compost Facility is open seven days a week at 7425 Thayer Road in Mount Vernon, according to the Knox County website. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Nov. 1 through Feb. 28, 2024. Yard waste that is accepted includes grass clippings, leaves, shrubs, brush, tree limbs under 10 inches in diameter and Christmas trees without decorations.