A massive blaze at an East Side composting facility that was expected to burn for perhaps days instead appeared to be out Tuesday night.

The San Antonio Fire Department left the scene at 5:30 p.m. and declared the fire extinguished. Chief Neal Ague said there was no smoke or fire coming from the pile when firefighters left.

The New Earth composting facility was keeping a crew on the scene overnight with a brush truck, monitoring to make sure there were no flare-ups. They declined further help from the Fire Department.

Flames had broken out in a pile of pallets and lumber being processed for mulch and compost at the facility, east of Foster Road on Interstate 10, about 9 p.m. Monday, company officials said.

It took about 90 minutes for Fire Department units and at least one area volunteer department to contain the blaze. White smoke plumes were visible miles away.

SAFD spokeswoman Deborah Foster said an official cause hadn't been determined and that no injuries have been reported.

A sign at the entrance to the facility said it processes manure, tree trimmings, cardboard, and other waste products and recyclables.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality spokesman Terry Clawson said the agency was on site to help the Fire Department and to monitor the smoke's impact on local air quality.

The blaze was much smaller than the infamous 2007 “Mulchie” fire in Helotes, an eight-story inferno of brush and debris that took three months to extinguish.

The thick smoke from that fire sent residents from their homes, forced school closures and came dangerously close to the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer.

aley@express-news.net