Sanitation officials and fire officers monitored a smouldering landfill at Mangrove, St Thomas today after thousands of tyres went up in smoke, creating headaches for residents downwind.
A joint effort by officials from the public and private sector sought to bring the situation under control after the landfill erupted in flames on Saturday night sending thick toxic smoke billowing towards residential areas down wind, including the plush Sandy Lane estate.
However, it was residents of the nearby Arch Hall district who complained about the smoke, which they said not only inconvenienced them as they prepared their Sunday lunch, but also impacted negatively on people with a variety of health ailments, particularly asthma.
Minister of the Environment Denis Kellman as well as health officials visited the scene earlier today and later this afternoon the Department of Emergency Management will be giving an update on the situation. (ES)
