MEXICO — Eric Schmersal said in his 17 years as director of the Northern Oxford Regional Solid Waste Transfer Station he never had a fire there until Thursday.

Mexico and Rumford firefighters battled a messy blaze for more than an hour. It started in a compactor and spread to a trailer.

About 20 firefighters with masks sprayed water in the compactor and trailer loaded with bags of garbage. Bushes and other wood waste next to the metal containers were also doused.

Mexico fire Chief Gary Wentzell said the cause could not be found. He speculated that someone may have placed hot coals or some other hot material in their garbage, which smoldered until it got to the compactor.

Schmersal said he didn’t expect any damage.

He advised station users to make sure nothing is placed in garbage that could start a fire, and to not smoke when they are preparing their garbage and properly dispose of all smoking materials.

Responding to the 12:50 p.m. call were two Rumford fire engines, one Mexico fire engine, Med-Care Ambulance Service, and the Mexico Police Department.

Wentzell said firefighters wrapped up about 2:15 p.m.