Update: ‘Major’ fire at George Town landfill

Firefighters are tackling what the Fire Service is describing as a “major” fire at the George Town landfill.

The fire, which appears to be being fanned by winds, was reported to the Fire Service via a 911 call at 12:54pm.

The intensity and spread of the blaze increased markedly between about 1:30pm to around 2.20pm and a traffic jam built up in all directions as the wind blew clouds of thick, black smoke across a stretch of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, which was closed by police on safety grounds.

The fire is located along the side of the landfill facing the Esterley Tibbetts Highway.

“Fire crews are on scene and have confirmed that a substantial portion of the landfill is actively burning, presenting a complex firefighting operation,” the Fire Service said in a statement issued shortly after 3pm.

“The incident has been escalated and formally declared a critical incident by Station Manager Ian McLaughlin due to the scale, complexity and potential environmental impact.”

Fire crews were trying to contain the flames “while mitigating its spread and reducing smoke and environmental hazards,” the Fire Service said.

It is advising members of the public in neighbouring communities, especially those with respiratory conditions, to be mindful of potential smoke drift.

The Red Cross announced late afternoon that it had opened its shelter to anyone who required accommodation while the fire was being dealt with.

Esterley Tibbetts Highway closed

Police blocked of the section of the highway between the AL Thompson roundabout and Jay Bodden Highway.

The service said, “Residents and businesses in surrounding areas may experience increased traffic flow and are encouraged to plan accordingly.”

It added that further updates would be released as the battle against the blaze continued.

As of 2:35pm, traffic was being diverted to West Bay Road or through Industrial Park, and motorists were being advised to avoid the area.

This is the third blaze at the site in recent weeks and appears to be more serious than the previous two.

Opposition leader Joey Hew, speaking to the Compass from the dyke roads by the landfill, which is in his constituency, said he could feel the heat of the fire and see a projectile shooting from the blaze “like a rocket”.

Hew said, “This is dangerous. The difference between this one and the last one is how close to the road this one is and how close it is to residential areas.”

Cayman International School alerted parents to the blaze, but an evacuation was not required because northeasterly winds were pushing smoke away from the school and across the highway.

In a message to parents, principal Jim Urquhart said recess would be held indoors for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution but that the school’s air quality readings were ‘good.’

In a public notice to parents, the Department of Education Services advised that school buses carrying students home to West Bay Thursday afternoon were likely to be delayed due to the heavy traffic caused by the road closure.

Home Affairs Minister Nickolas DaCosta, in a statement issued at 5pm, commended the emergency services for their efforts in dealing with the blaze.

He said government’s priority was the safety of the public, and he advised people to avoid the area. “We continue to monitor the situation closely, and will ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to support containment efforts and minimise any impact on surrounding communities.”

Check back for more on this developing story.