The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE massive fire that started at the New Providence landfill on Monday has been mostly extinguished, Renew Bahamas officials said yesterday.

However, in a statement the company said efforts are being placed on smoke suppression, adding that a team would work throughout the night.

The fire, which forced two schools to close and some residents to evacuate their homes, started late Monday night in what officials suspect was an act of arson. The latest blaze was the second fire in a week.

“Renew Bahamas continues with its fire fighting efforts and smoke containment plan at the Harrold Road Landfill site, following Monday night’s fire,” the statement said on Wednesday.

“Teams worked continuously throughout the night focusing on quenching small pockets of fire and addressing the heavy smoke emanating from the site using a combination of heavy mobile plant and equipment. However the winds posed a challenge. As of 5pm Wednesday, most of the flames have been extinguished.

“Much effort and resources are being placed on smoke suppression and there will be another team continuously working throughout the night. The company will continue to keep the public posted on its efforts.”

Residents took to social media on Tuesday to express their “disgust” at the recurring problem.

One Jubilee Gardens woman said: “Beware! (The) dump is on fire, thick billowy smoke, it’s bad. I had to leave home and stay at my mom’s (house). I do not know when I will be going back home. I can’t even get mad anymore, this is expected.”

Another resident said: “Woke up to smoke, again. Is this ever going to stop? Does someone have to die of smoke inhalation before the government does anything about this? I am so frustrated.”

City dump fires have been a recurrent problem for years.

Renew Bahamas was engaged by the government in 2014 to manage the landfill and help address the matter.