A late afternoon fire at the North Memphis Landfill in the Frayser neighborhood sent a thick column of smoke stretching over north Memphis on Friday, briefly turning the sky into a hazy backdrop for commuters and residents. Memphis Fire Department crews responded to the scene and had the blaze contained by mid-afternoon, and officials reported no injuries.
Fire response and cause
According to Action News 5, firefighters said several mattresses caught fire just before 3:30 p.m. Crews moved in quickly and had the blaze under control by about 4 p.m., then stayed on site to douse lingering hot spots and watch for any rekindles.
Smoke seen across neighborhoods
Local Memphis reported that ABC24 weather cameras continued to pick up smoke from the landfill into the afternoon. Residents shared photos of the dark plume on social media as it hovered over nearby streets and neighborhoods. No evacuations were ordered, although people in the area said the smoke was visible from multiple vantage points.
Why mattress fires can create a big smoke plume
Mattresses commonly contain polyurethane foam and other materials that can burn quickly and give off toxic gases and dense particulates. That mix can turn a relatively contained blaze into a big, hazardous smoke plume in a hurry. The National Institute of Standards and Technology notes that mattress fires can reach very high heat-release rates and generate smoke that poses a threat to nearby areas and first responders, even though modern mattress standards have cut some fire risks.
How to protect yourself
Officials urged people to steer clear of the landfill while crews worked and to keep windows and doors shut if smoke drifted into their homes, as well as to monitor local updates in case any air-quality alerts were issued. The EPA recommends checking AirNow for up-to-date conditions, sealing indoor spaces as much as possible, using HEPA filtration or recirculating HVAC settings when available, and wearing an N95 respirator if you have to be outside in smoky air.
