Team continues to battle Illovo landfill site fire

Ward 97 councillor, André Beetge shared his findings of the cause of a fire at a landfill site in the South that irked residents in Illovo Beach and Winklespruit at the beginning of the week.

Beetge said the fire started on Saturday, 23 January after a suspected hot load was dumped.

“This is usually ash with the dumper being either unaware, not declaring it or being unobserved. This along with the exceptionally hot conditions enhanced gas releases and with a smaller weekend staff component, resulted in the fire spreading in a very short time span.”

He said on Monday the Western (inland) bank was already successfully contained. However, the challenge remained for the Eastern (coastal) side because of it being exceptionally high and steep, resulting in refuse having to be moved and relocated elsewhere on site to construct access for the graders and tipper trucks bringing and moving loads of sand, as water creates even more smoke.

“Operations remained hampered by not only the weather that created a deep mud sludge, which made it impossible for normal vehicles to enter, but smoke reduced visibility when the wind blew West (inland). Containment could only continue when the wind blew East or towards Kingsburgh, Illovo and Amanzimtoti.

“Following discussions with engineers during our site inspection as well as our communication with the head of DSW, additional resources were made available on Tuesday in an effort to deliver and spread sand quicker to smother the fire and ensuing smoke.”

Teams are still working from 7am to 8pm in an effort to subdue the fire and normalise the situation. “All of which, unfortunately, also remains subject to weather patterns, as light rain causes additional smoke.

“On Tuesday evening officials had covered some 60% of the area. An additional D7 dozer was secured and delivered to support the operation into the evening. The team is working extended hours and anticipate the balance of 40% to be covered by Thursday. Contact has also been established with environmental health to visit the site and make recommendations.”