Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The Trash, The Trash, The Trash Is on Fire
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 11, 2011
Modified Jan 11, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 11, 2011
Modified Jan 11, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[UPDATE BELOW] Well, this is one way to get rid of the giant piles of trash leftover from the blizzard. Tipster Alison Grasso tells us, "I passed this giant pile of burning trash on my way home from work—it was on Court Street just above Atlantic, right outside the Rite Aid, around 10:25 p.m., before fire trucks arrived." And to think that just a few days ago that trash was hill was probably perfect for sledding (as well as breaking falls). We're waiting to hear back from the FDNY on what caused the massive blaze, but from the looks of things, we're guessing it was burned down for the insurance money.
Alison Grasso
Update 9:25 a.m.: An FDNY spokesperson tells us, "The call came in at Court and Atlantic at 10:16 p.m. last night. We arrived on scene in 4 minutes and the fire was out very shortly. This was not even an all-hands fire, so I would not classify it as giant." If you want giant, check out the Hawaiian Waste Systems fire in Honolulu—now that's a garbage fire!
Tagged
garbage fire
trash fire
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .