Back in business: After repairs from fires, Hornell transfer station reopening

Despite sustaining heavy damage from a pair of fires over Memorial Day weekend, the Steuben County landfill transfer station in Hornell is slated to reopen at 7:30 a.m. Saturday after being shut down all week.

“What made the difference in opening this soon is our county employees and sub-contractors put in long, hard hours,” said Eric Rose, the commissioner of the Steuben County Department of Public Works.

"We worked around the clock and utilized a bunch of different assets within the county.”

What happened at the transfer station?

The first fire at the county Road 64 facility was reported at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday. Officials said the blaze started in a garbage collection trailer.

Three local fire departments put the fire out, but crews were back at the site around 2 a.m. Sunday after an apparent rekindle sparked a fire in the office building, officials said.

There were no injuries. Rose said the investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.

Impacts included damage to the electric system, the communication lines, the trailer and the office area break room, according to the initial analysis.

Further assessment showed the damage was more extensive than previously believed.

“As we got into things, we realized how much damage the heat and smoke really did, between the electric components, the fire safety equipment, as well as the communications lines," Rose said.

Addison: Voters rejected this NY school budget. Here's what the district will cut to make ends meet

Gallery: Memorial Day tributes in Hornell: Photos

For subscribers: 10 new restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops to try in the Southern Tier

'Business as usual' at Hornell transfer station following repairs

Rose said it will be "business as usual" following the repairs, adding that the Department of Public Works managed to complete some minor facility upgrades during the downtime.

The re-opening is likely to be welcomed by customers. A steady stream of vehicles pulled into the site on Tuesday afternoon before word of the closing spread. The locked gate sent patrons back on the road to seek out other options.

"It’s busy 90% of the time. As far as cars coming and going, (there is) constant traffic," Rose said "We (also) have some of the smaller haulers with smaller packer trucks at a commercial level, and local businesses, utilizing the transfer station as well so they do not have to drive all the way over to the Bath landfill.”

Neal Simon on Twitter @HornellTribNeal. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Transfer station in Hornell will reopen after two fires: What to know