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Smoke & fire finally contained @ Pockwood Pond dumpsite

December 13th, 2023 | Tags: Pockwood Pond Dumpside fire smoke
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the fire and smoke emanating from at the Pockwood Pond Dumpsite has been contained, this afternoon, December 14, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), who has responsibility for waste management, says challenges at the local incinerator can ultimately be solved with the reduction of garbage going into the facility. Photo: Team of Reporters
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), who has responsibility for waste management, says challenges at the local incinerator can ultimately be solved with the reduction of garbage going into the facility. Photo: Team of Reporters
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, Vi – Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the fire and smoke emanating from the Pockwood Pond Dumpsite has finally been contained this afternoon, December 13, 2023.

Waste Management Director Mr. Marcus E. Solomon told our newsroom on Saturday, December 9, 2023, that around 4:00 am, the Pockwood Pond dumpsite garbage tipping area located on the main island of Tortola, caught on fire.

Jr Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and First District Representative, Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1)  has said however that the landfill did not catch fire. 

"It is not a landfill fire, but a fire in the waste area alongside the building where the trucks dump before the material is transported up the hill to the landfill,” he said. 

Despite this, however, smoke has reportedly caused environmental issues in the area and as far as neighboring USVI.  New Images sent to our newsroom today have revealed that the fire and smoke have now been contained.

More recycling - Hon Wheatley 

Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), who has responsibility for waste management, says challenges at the local incinerator can ultimately be solved with the reduction of garbage going into the facility.

“I want to encourage all persons to recycle as much as they can. The least amount of stuff going to the dump that we all produce, the more we can reduce from going to the dump, the better,” he said on the Monday, December 11, 2023, edition of Da Morning Braff radio show. 

12 Responses to “Smoke & fire finally contained @ Pockwood Pond dumpsite”

  • WO (13/12/2023, 18:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You're not telling us what are your intentions about west end residents.??????????????????????
    • Westside (13/12/2023, 20:18) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sweetheart, they have NONE and they DO NOT give a rat's a$$ who live or die. It's a big secret that the doctors are also aware of and have supporting stats, but one day they will be held accountable by their MAKER for each life taken as a result.

      Since 2017, we can't even get Street lights. Every district get, but the forgotten west. From the Killer Site straight to the Towers PITCH BLACK. You can't even see a white sheet if it is in front of you.
      • Kye (13/12/2023, 23:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        put lights on every pole in his district and left the other districts in darkness
  • Yep (13/12/2023, 19:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It just moved up the hill
  • Real Talk (13/12/2023, 19:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reasòn why things are out of control at this garrbage site from the jet go it was poorly managed so today we are paying the price
    • @Real Talk (14/12/2023, 09:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go back in years to find recommendations made. The priorities of the finance providers caused that, and stilll causing it
  • Oh Well (13/12/2023, 20:21) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The one who won and the 2 who sort election in the 1st all the same. They too, quiet like a church mouse, before they lead another petition and call for a class action suit. They probably busy trying to get big jobs.
  • @ WO (13/12/2023, 20:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well you will have to use your imagination / one thing for sure is the west will be free of mosquitoes this Xmas , the prince of VG only good to s oops when people work honestly for their money to see ( where - how and what they do with their own money ) and find ways to double tax them and leave the employers who is not
    contributing their fair share of taxes ( UNTOUCHED ) thats a wicked and evil individual and the lord will deal with him , just like the coach
  • Hmmmm (14/12/2023, 01:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need a change lets move the VIP, NDP, PVIM and get a group who truly cares about the people of this country
  • Easy Fix (14/12/2023, 10:38) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    Grab a lawn chair and go to the Pier Park with a sign that says "Stop poisoning us with toxic air"/"Increased cancer risk by beathing Tortola air". Wait for the cruise ships to arrive. Extra points if you have a small pamphlet explaining the problem.

    So, problem solved, put up or shut up, who really cares enough to do it.
  • @ EASY FIX (17/12/2023, 18:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thar was cool , we got a lot of acting going on now ah days , like those who sat in the road with their fake protest , so anybody can try ah ting / they only gah make it look real ????


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