The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS from Renew Bahamas yesterday suggested that smoky conditions in the area of the Harrold Road landfill are not the result of recent fires at the site.

Andrew Knowles, head of communications at Renew Bahamas, explained that 95 per cent of the 17-acre site has already been covered with fill. He added that Renew Bahamas officials believe that the entire matter will be resolved by the end of the week.

Mr Knowles said: “Renew Bahamas is continuing to soak and cover the final pocket of the burned area from the massive fire that occurred on January 17.

“The rain has also helped tremendously and there has been a significant reduction in the amount of smoke emanating from the area.”

In recent days, The Tribune has received a number of calls from angry residents in western New Providence, suggesting that the smoke covering their area was coming from the dump site.

On Monday a Delaporte resident complained that the smoke was so thick in the area that it filled his home because he forgot to close his kitchen windows.

He said his fire alarm went off. He blamed this on the smoke.

However, Mr Knowles said: “The company also wishes to advise that the smoke observed in the Gladstone Road and JFK areas yesterday, is not related to the recent fires at Harrold Road landfill site. Renew is satisfied that the smoke was not emanating from anywhere on the site, but from fires on other properties.”

In January, fire chief Superintendent Walter Evans urged people living near the landfill, such as residents of Gladstone Road and Victoria Gardens, to “seek medical attention” if experiencing ill effects from smoke from the site.

Last week, Renew Bahamas said its team of officials was working to combat the blaze that started on January 17.

“Work crews are still working on the final pocket of the burned area of the massive fire on the other part of the site that occurred January 17,” the company said last week. “About 85 per cent of the 17 acres of the area burned by this fire has already been covered with fill.”

Fires at the New Providence landfill have been a persistent problem for years. Last March, a fire burned at the dump for several weeks, causing school closures and discomfort for nearby residents.