In a class 2 (non-hazardous waste) landfill site, located in a woodland area, a fire destroyed 2,000 m³ of waste on the edge of mass that was being consolidated prior to burial in a cell. Only a few m² of geomembrane were superficially damaged on the dike separating the cells within a single compartment. The fire-fighters and the operator thoroughly sprayed the incandescent waste and the surrounding area to prevent the fire from spreading. The large volumes of water used overflowed on to grounds without waterproof membranes. They were collected by a pump and transfer to a future watertight cell. The water contained at the bottom of the hydraulically connected cells represented a volume of between 4,000 m³ (visible) and 8,000 m³ (estimated), to be treated as leachate. The fire was only completely extinguished 6 days later, after the whole site had been covered with with clayey materials. According to the operator, the fire broke out on the front slope of the waste mass that did not completely cover the bottom of the cell. Insufficient compaction on the slope of this waste mass that had been in situ for over two months, but did not reach the end of the cell due to the presence of too much underlying water, definitely caused the fire: the lateral air inlets combined with the waste degradation process created favourable conditions for starting the fire. The inspection authorities for classified facilities drew up a report establishing the facts. The operator must repair and obtain approval of the leaktightness in the area where the membrane had been damaged, indicate the process for treating the fire-fighting water assimilated with diluted leachates and implement quarterly groundwater monitoring.