Bridgeton residents voice concern over landfill

Bridgeton, Missouri residents packed a church Thursday night to voice concerns about a potential nuclear disaster in their backyard.

An underground fire is smoldering close to radioactive material buried in the Bridgeton landfill.

It was standing room only at the Calvin Presbyterian church in Bridgeton.

State lawmakers, fire officials and residents heard data about the potential disaster.

Attorney General Chris Koster’s office released a report in September stating the findings underscore the site is not under control.

The biggest concern is if the fire reaches the radioactive material it could release toxic smoke into the air.

Currently, it’s estimated the fire is about 8 to 12 hundred feet from the material.

Residents that live around the area say they’re scared, frustrated and angry.

“It’s devastating for me,” Pauline Tulloch said. “I have a house that I bought with my mother. It’s not insured for any nuclear disaster. I can’t even get relocation money.”

Republic Services, the company that owns the landfill says the fire is under control.