Dump fire continues controlled smolder

| 24/07/2014

(CNS): Although fire crews have the current George Town dump blaze under control the deep seated fire is still burning, officials have confirmed. The fire started at the landfill at the weekend Department of Environmental Health staff first noticed smoke on Saturday at around 10.30am in the solid waste area at the edge of the site. Fire crews and staff dug down some 200 feet to work on the fire and excavators were used to overturn debris. Since then teams from both DEH and the fire department have been working around the clock to contain the smoldering fire pouring on gallons of water. 

Dr Maysson Sallam, the assistant director of the department of environmental health, notes that since the last such incident, deep wells have been placed around the landfill site allowing fire crews to access a continuous source of water and mange this and any other fire more efficiently.

The department has bought new water pumps which the assistant director said will be arriving on Island shortly. The department has also ordered other much-needed landfill equipment to help optimise operations.  In addition, the department has in the interim rented two excavators that it can use to turn over the waste to help identify the source of heat.

While the fire continues senior DEH and fire officers with equipment are making regular visits to the scene. Osbourne Bodden, who has responsibility for the dump is currently in Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, however, he visited the landfill on Sunday 19 July but has made little comment about the situation. Bodden did however, urge the public to have patience as government moves through the necessary processes to find a sustainable solution for the waste management issue

The ministry has stated that it is making headway with the integrated solid waste management solution and a number of bids to develop the Cayman Islands first solid waste management strategy, an outline business case, and to provide procurement support for a solid waste management system, have been received and are being reviewed,.

 

Category: Science and Nature

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  1. Anonymous says:

    If you are interested in the impact of Mount Trashmore on tourists, check out the posts on http://www.tripadvisor.com.

    "What is that smell?'

  2. Anonymous says:

    Please leave Mr Bodden alone, he is the only one looking out for what's best for our country. He knows that taking the deal from Dart would only hurt us in the long run. And he also knows that transporting all of that Garbage from the Gt Dump to Bodden Town just to please Dart is not in our best interest and look at how many truck load it will take to move all that trash ruining the property values of Bodden Town, I mean look at how low the proprty value is in GeorgeTown.

    If Dart wants the GT Dump he shouldpay us for it. And I mean each and every one of us since it's our priceless Garbage thats in the pile. 

  3. Anonymous says:

    Doesn't the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms guarantee the right to enjoy a healthy and productive environment free from the threat of injury or damage from environmental abuse?

    All those emissions and toxic fumes from the fire have got to be causing health problems, therefore, a breach of constitutional rights.

    I wonder when a group lawsuit will ask the court to declare that the CIG breached its legal duty to manage the dump properly and safeguard public health.

     

  4. Anonymous says:

    Visit Cayman's active volcano!! Afterwards, you and the family can:

    Eat endangered turtle meat!

    Swim with captive dolphins!

    This is getting tacky

     

     

     

     

     

  5. Anonymous says:

    "Hey guys, I have a great idea, let's spend $122 Million over 20 years on an airport upgrade."

    What the hell is wrong with you people? 

  6. Anonymous says:

    The deep seated fire is still burning.  What part of that the PPM Government does not understand.   Why don't these people attend to this problem.   Maybe  ogne morning the residents of George Town wakes up and find  their bed in the  middle  of the ocean,  This is serious.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Osbourne Bodden should resign now the job is too big for his poor attitude

    • People For A Dump Free G.T. says:

      In true Cayman style, we will name the landfill after him following his last term in office, this one.

  8. Anonymous says:

    So embarrassing… hard to believe that this problem still exists.  Every voter, politician and person in Cayman should be embarrassed.  We are all to blame for the lack of action.  Lets stop pointing fingers and get this issue resolved.

    • Anonymous says:

      bold statement there !  we are all to blame ? no sir !  i am NOT to blame !

      all they have to do is …say yes to Dart and he will close it and take care of it

      GOOD !  and FREE !!!

      • Anonymous says:

        What do you think Dart would have done to keep the dump from catching fire?

        • Anonymous says:

          A part of his offer was to properly Cap the Dump, Landscape the whole area turning it into a park with walking and bike trails that would be open to the public. He was also going to take responsibility for the ongoing maintenece of the capped site. 

        • Anonymous says:

          If the dump was capped this wouldn't be an issue.

    • Anonymous says:

      Excuse me, but after reject an offer from Dart to deal with it. It's the government and the BoddenTownians that are to blame..

      But yes we are all ashamed.

      Ashamed that we have polititians that make choice to please one district at the sacrifice of the rest of the country. And that we have people in one district that are to selfish to become part of the solution.

    • Anonymous says:

      Excuse me 09:10 only the Bodden Town people need to feel embarassed. They are the  Dump Voters.

      I m sure the rsidents immediately surrnding  the dump must get sick eventually.  Mr Osborne you are in deep garbage to your neck…

  9. Anonymous says:

    Now that's a very good prepared statement by the Ministry, if even sounds believable..

    Fortunatey I know it's all BS..

  10. Dread on Dread says:

    There soon na be nuff water ta  out de fire adenadenade.

    • Anonymous says:

      Someone Translate Please!!!!!!!!

      • Dread on Dread says:

        There soon won't be enough water to out de fire. De rest is too big fe ya brain.

         

        • Anonymous says:

          Thanks I got it now.

           

          There soon won't be enough water to put out the fire. The rest is too big for your brain.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Toxic.