Massive early morning fire broke out @ VG landfill

- DWM says water trucks were mobilised but failed to completely extinguish the fire

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Some residents of Virgin Gorda took to social media, particularly Facebook, to complain about what they termed as a massive fire at the Virgin Gorda landfill this morning, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Photo: Facebook

Smoke from the Virgin Gorda landfill today, July 30, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters

Director of Waste Management Mr Marcus E. Solomon has urged residents in and around the landfill at Virgin Gorda to take the necessary health precautions to deal with smoke emanating from the landfill. Photo: Green VI/Facebook

SPANISH TOWN, Virgin Gorda, VI- Some residents of Virgin Gorda took to social media, particularly Facebook, to complain about what they described as a massive fire at the Virgin Gorda landfill this morning, Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Residents complained about the possible health and environmental issues the fire could pose.

A press release from Government Information Services (GIS) this afternoon had the caption ‘Quick Action Resolved Fire Situation At Virgin Gorda Landfill’; however, residents say the situation has not been resolved.

Director of Waste Management Mr Marcus E. Solomon also admitted the situation has not been completely addressed.

Mr Solomon, in the GIS press release, said on Saturday, July 29 at 6:35 PM the Department of Waste Management was notified of smoke emanating from the landfill. He said the Fire Department was notified, but due to the nature of the site and the terrain, a decision was made to employ the assistance of water trucks to manage the situation.

Mr Solomon stated that sometime after 10:30 PM the water trucks went to the site to wet the area, but a fire broke out sometime after 3:00 AM on Sunday.

Is the fire extinguished?

He said the trucks were able to put out the blaze but that there are pockets of fire emerging as well as continued smoke.

“As a result, residents in and around the area may experience intermittent smoke and ashes. Persons with respiratory conditions who live or are visiting the area are asked to take the necessary health precautions,” the Director cautioned.

At around 6:30 PM, even Minister for Health and Social Development and Ninth District Representative Hon Vincent O. Wheatley could not say whether the fire has been put out.

“I cannot confirm at this time,” Hon Wheatley told our news centre.

Meanwhile, Mr Solomon said the Department of Waste Management continues to review its disposal processes at all its sites and the necessary investigation into this fire will be conducted to strengthen its 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,” Mr Solomon said.

The community is also invited to contact the Department of Waste Management at 468-4934 to learn more about proper handling of flammables.

10 Responses to “Massive early morning fire broke out @ VG landfill”

Styles. (30/07/2023, 19:02) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
Can the authorities please stop pretending these fires (VG Volcano and Cox Heath) are accidental. It’s policy to light waste on fire.

Minister of health please take your responsibility and make sure we don’t all die from longue cancer due to the stupidity of letting people deliberately life in this smoke.
- To Styles (30/07/2023, 20:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
  That thing literally did look like a Volcano on VG. I'm sorry to tell you but the Minister of Health is clueless. He's in over his head. He's just not cut out for heavy lifting like this. This country has serious problems with no solutions in sight.
  - resident (31/07/2023, 03:02) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am no vip supporter but to blame Mr Wheatley is unfair. Do ministers go into work with a magic wand? The heads of the depts in that ministry are the ones who should be looking for solutions. They can then tell the minister we need so and so. Of course the minster can also do his diligence and research and come up with solutions as well but the onus is on the dept heads to do their jobs.
    - To resident (31/07/2023, 17:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      In many cases the Ministers don't listen to the Department heads nor do they provide funding for the recommended solutions. I didn't blame anyone, I said the problem is beyond him. It is beyond all of them. Things will get worse before they get any better.
What a blaze! (30/07/2023, 23:29) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
Look a the size of the blaze, it look like Russia drop a bomb on VG...Well sah!
But all jokes aside this aint funny! This really has to stop happening. We as a society need to take a stand on this open dump burning it's been too long. We already know the health risk as a result and govt know too. The N9 District rep and the rest of the govt keep turning a blind eye to this situation. If we want to be a product of tourism then this certainly doesn't fit the criteria. Come on! To the powers that be...Please do something about this VG dumpsite.
Wow Wow Wow (31/07/2023, 00:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
The fires are not deliberately being lit by anyone the land fills are not properly fixed so when the methane gasses that comes from the buried trash and foods rises to the top of the trash it’s a very light and with the heat that we are facing now it will ignite very east because the land fill is not properly set up to mine the methane gas that is the problem why there is always flash fires in both land fills and it will never stop unless it’s corrected
my 2 cents (31/07/2023, 03:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
We need to seriously change our waste disposal habits. Households need to separate recyclables from other wastes. Here, EVERYTHING goes in the dump. That's very dangerous. At the moment only plastic water bottles are recycled.. As a country -1. We need to fix our water supply so we are not so dependent on bottled water 2. Find ways to recycle other waste and encourage the population to change their disposal habits ie separate garbage into general waste and recyclable. 3. Have separate sites or bins for regular waste and recyclable waste. Will it happen overnight no! It will take a while. Change does not come easy but we see the effects of climate change daily and we need to do our small part in preserving the one place in the universe that can can sustain life. It's not like we can move anywhere.
Hmm (31/07/2023, 07:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Still NOT resolved clueless minister
vg massive (31/07/2023, 08:38) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
Vincent is doing a damm good job we do not want any of the flax sisters
BVI volcanoes (31/07/2023, 09:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
Property values plummet on VG and Tortola near these burning man made volcanoes.

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Massive early morning fire broke out @ VG landfill

10 Responses to “Massive early morning fire broke out @ VG landfill”

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