Crews have been working to put out a mulch fire in Sumner County that has been burning for nearly two weeks.
The blaze broke out on Christmas Eve at Hardwood Mulch located on Hawkins Drive in Westmoreland.
We're told it could be another week before the fire is out @NC5 pic.twitter.com/jT1Qk6CYSq
— Chris Conte (@NC5_ChrisConte) January 5, 2016
Fire officials believe it may have been sparked by a lightning strike.
So far, more than 1 million gallons of water have been used to fight the blaze.
"You can't put water on top of it and expect it to go out like a normal fire, you have to dig it out and get to the center of it if it works its way inside these piles," said Curtis Ing with the Westmoreland Fire Department.
Thick, white smoke could be seen billowing from the burning mulch and has caused problems for some neighbors in the area.
Crews said they would be monitoring the fire around the clock, but that it could take up to a week before the fire is put out.
