The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE fire that started two weeks ago at the New Providence landfill is “80 per cent” extinguished, a Renew Bahamas official said yesterday.

Andrew Knowles, Renew Bahamas’ head of communications, told The Tribune that the part of the landfill that was producing the most smoke has “already been taken care of as of Wednesday”.

However, he said, nearby residents may be bothered by smoke for a few more days.

Officials have not yet completed their investigations into the matter.

Since the fire began, residents near the area have complained about the plumes of smoke that create discomfort.

Renew Bahamas, the solid waste management company responsible for operating and managing the landfill, said the fire was started by a “concentrated arson attack on the site and facilities”.

Yesterday, Mr Knowles said Renew Bahamas would be bolstering its security personnel to “prevent these types of things from happening in the future”.

“We have about 80 per cent of the area covered that was affected by the fire,” he said.

“It was over 17 acres, so right now our work crews are moving into the final section that’s still producing quite a bit of smoke. The section that’s producing the most smoke, we’ve already taken care of as of (Wednesday). They’ve been placing fill down in that area.

“Of course we know everyone’s frustration with it, especially with the smoke and everything, but we still have a few more days to go before it will be done and residents will have some relief from it.”

According to officials, the fire started at 11 pm on January 17, on the northern side of the property. Within an hour, officials said, it was “rapidly spreading.” Shortly afterwards officials said another fire started up “in a completely separate part of the site,” but they were “satisfied” that it wasn’t spreading.

Two days after the fire started, residents in areas surrounding the landfill expressed anger about the recurring, vexing problem.

Fires at the city dump have been a persistent problem for years.

Last March, a fire burned at the dump for several weeks, causing school closures and discomfort for nearby residents.

Fire Chief Superintendent Walter Evans has urged persons living near the landfill, such as residents of Gladstone Road and Victoria Gardens, to “seek medical attention” if experiencing ill effects from smoke from the site.