Watch out for intermittent ‘smoke and ashes’ from VG dump fire
Residents of Virgin Gorda have been warned to take necessary precautions because they may experience intermittent smoke and ashes from a fire that erupted at a local dumpsite over the weekend.
A release from the government said the Department of Waste Management was notified of smoke coming from the landfill area sometime on Saturday evening. Although the fire department was notified, it was the assistance of water trucks that was used to manage the situation. This was because of the nature of the site and it’s terrain.
Marcus Solomon, the Director of Waste Management, said the water trucks went to wet the area some time around 10:30 pm that evening. However, a fire reportedly broke out sometime after 3:00 am, whipping the water trucks back into action.
Solomon said the trucks were able to put out the blaze but explained that pockets of fire and smoke were emerging.
“As a result, residents in and around the area may experience intermittent smoke and ashes. Persons with respiratory conditions who live [in] or are visiting the area are asked to take the necessary health precautions,” Solomon warned.
Although the release suggested that quick action resolved the fire at the landfill site, it is not immediately clear whether the fire has been brought under complete control or whether additional resources have been mobilised to address the issue.
Several homeowners as well as high-end properties, along with their guests, have reportedly been seriously affected by the latest blaze.
Minister for Health & Waste Management, Vincent Wheatley, who is also the District Representative for Virgin Gorda, said the dump site will remain temporarily closed until further notice. He added that this is pending an assessment and an investigation into the early morning fire.
Meanwhile, the Waste Management Director said his department will continue to review its disposal processes at all sites and promised an investigation into the fire which he said will be conducted to strengthen fire mitigation procedures.
“We are asking the community to alert us if they see any hazardous, flammable or combustible material at any of our landfill sites,” Solomon said.
Solomon also thanked the owners and operators of the water trucks for their efforts in identifying, controlling and extinguishing the fires.
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Nothing new here. Old news
Carry on
Notice how “high end properties” complained of this and immediate action was taken. In other words, rich people got upset and it forced the government to take action.
Now apply that same example to Tola. The landfill burns, poisonous hundreds west. They all complain about it daily, yet nothing is done. They are not considered rich and are left to suffer
Money and politics in action. Or lack of it.
It’s a shame all the billions that got paid into Government since the 1980s got wasted or stolen.
More third world infrastructure, to go with our electricity water and sewerage and roads.
I bet all the millionaire visitors on VG like this and will tell all their friends!
Stop the bulls**t this site is no landfill ask Vincent why the schedule burning was stop and who requested such.Pls. VG people you got what you ask for.Now why put more dirt you are crearting a bigger coal pit Vincent can deliver /Soloman is being given false info.V.G needs prayers
Tell in VG who owns all the land adjacent to this dump site so we can know exactly what’s happening.Who/when did they acclaim such
Third class country engaging in medieval practices for decades now. There was a time you could not see evidence of the VG landfill from other parts of the island. Now, even without the smoke, you can see it from the Valley. Everything gets burned there: wood, weeds, plastic, old batteries, appliances, paint cans, fuel containers, gas canisters, animal carcasses, and so oon mainly because the ash takes up less space. Go look for yourselves at this nature’s little secret if you don’t believe me. Only surpassed by Pockwood Pond.