UPDATE: Cox Heath fire flames contained, smoke continues
The fire that spread smoke to the western end of the island has caused concerns to the neighbourhood, along with some outer islands in the area. The origin of the fire is unknown.
All hands on deck
Director of the Waste Management Department Mr Greg R. Massicote, whose agency is responsible for managing the makeshift dumpsite following the Hurricanes of 2017 told our newsroom that there has been “no injuries to life and no loss of property” however, “Public Works is assisting in digging a trench around the fire to stop it from spreading”.
Mr Massicoate who has had his plate filled following the post Hurricanes clean up confirmed that “it’s a multi-agency effort to contain the fire along with getting equipment on the site”. He has not disclosed his suspicion on the cause of the fire that was just a few hours ago contained.
It is unclear how long the site will be used, as a dumping area.
Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Management is advising the VI community that His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, on the advice of the Director of Disaster Management and in consultation with the Honourable Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has authorised the activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Level 2 in response to the fire at Cox Heath.
It further said Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service personnel are on the ground dealing with the situation and the US Virgin Islands authorities have been approached to assist in assessing the situation.
See article previously published on May 9, 2018
Waste Management fire rages @ Cox Heath
Residents of West End have been thrown in a state of discomfort and concern following a large fire at the solid waste dumpsite at Cox Heath, on the main island of Tortola.
The fire was reportedly seen raging around 5:30 P.M. today, May 9, 2018, and many passersby looked on in disbelief at the magnitude of the fire and smoke.
Residents could be heard expressing their disappointment with Government, saying “they could do better” and “What is happening in this country?”
The amount of smoke emanating from the site also raised health concerns.
The dumpsite at Cox Heath swelled significantly following the hurricanes of September 2017 as most of the debris ended up being taken there.
Government has since hired an overseas firm to ship out most of the recyclable hurricane debris from the Territory and burn combustible materials at the Pockwood Pond incinerator.
Director of the Waste Management Department, Mr Greg R. Massicote speaking exclusively to our newsroom said he and his crew was on the site around 4:30 P.M. and when he left "there was no fire".
He said, "All cards are on the table as to the cause of the fire" which the Fire and Recuse Department is struggling to put out.
Meanwhile, it is unclear at this time if persons on St John and even St Thomas, US Virgin Islands are being affected by the fire.
It was on January 16, 2018, that a large landfill fire at Pockwood Pond, on the main island of Tortola, affected persons as far as St Thomas, many of whom expressed their concerns on Facebook.
Director of the Waste Management Department, Mr Greg R. Massicote had told this news site the landfill fire may have started with combustible materials exposed at the dump site that was created after the incinerator was affected by shortage of power after the hurricanes in September 2017 and then just around Christmas eve when the backup generator for the incinerator developed problems.
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28 Responses to “UPDATE: Cox Heath fire flames contained, smoke continues”
situation. This country is in serious trouble. The problem is about to be compounded for the poor and needy by those who still have something to fall back on.
Reality of the disaster state of the BVI is widely being over looked by the ignorant and ignored by those in Government. I live EAST of Road Town, and am smelling the smoke. Praying for all living in areas affected.
There is also a smell of corruption in the air , has this convenient fire saved the expense of removal when contracts already inked and paid