A fire at the Beetham Landfill could have been seen miles away on Thursday, as the smoke covered Port-of-Spain and surrounding communities such as Sea Lots.
Beetham Gardens residents who spoke to Guardian Media described fires as annual events that they are faced with.
They said their only concern is the hazardous effect of the toxic smoke created by such events.
The T&T Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL), which has the purview over the Beetham Landfill, said in a media release that one of the wastewater treatment ponds at the landfill site became engulfed by the fire, which started on Wednesday night.
According to reports, at approximately 1 pm yesterday, the affected area reignited, causing thick black smoke to be emitted.
SWMCOL noted that while landfill site fires are volatile, the company’s Emergency Response Team was on-site, working assiduously to manage the situation.
The company has appealed to residents of the surrounding areas and commuters, particularly those with respiratory conditions, to proceed with caution on the Beetham Highway.
Residents in Picton, Laventille, told Guardian Media that they saw small fires in the landfill on Wednesday night
As the smoke travelled into the city and surrounding communities yesterday, air quality tests conducted by SWMCOL’s environmental officers in downtown Port-of-Spain and surrounding areas during the day indicated a 25 per cent reduction in smoke.
A further reduction was expected as the evening progressed.
However, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), in a media release, noted that the air quality levels as recorded at its Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station located at Beetham, Port-of-Spain, were hazardous.The EMA added that this is due primarily to the smoke and particulate matter associated with the fire at the landfill.
The T&T Fire Service is also working with these agencies to put out the fire.
