Iowa City Settles with Travelers Insurance over Landfill Fire

Iowa City, Iowa, has reached a $1.85 million insurance settlement over a costly landfill fire last year.

The Iowa City Council said during a Sept. 3 meeting that it had come to an agreement with The Travelers Companies for roughly half of the estimated $3.4 million in damage to the landfill in May 2012.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the insurer’s initial payment of $155,000 is included in the settlement.

Travelers had disputed the city’s policy, which listed sheds and buildings at the Iowa City Landfill but not the landfill cells where the fire occurred.

The fire burned for 15 days before it was covered with a layer of dirt and clay. It smoldered beneath for weeks.