NSWMA head says fire at Riverton under control

Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Audley Gordon says the fire at the Riverton dump in St Andrew is contained.

Speaking on Beyond The Headlines with host Dionne Jackson Miller, Gordon said work is ongoing to have the blaze, which started sometime after noon, extinguished by tonight.

Gordon also said the fire is not a large one and that he is in communication with personnel on the ground.

He indicated that the blaze was contained with the use of NSWMA equipment and assistance from several units from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).

Gordon said earlier efforts were impacted by the winds but that things are now under control.

He said emergency workers used a special technique to suffocate the fire.

“The fire, located at the periphery of the disposal site, poses significant challenges due to its difficult accessibility, compounded by high winds. Despite these obstacles, the collaborative efforts of the NSWMA and the JFB remain steadfast in addressing the situation effectively,” said the NSWMA in a media release earlier today.

The agency noted that it is undertaking every possible measure “to contain and extinguish the fire, prioritising the safety and well-being of both personnel and surrounding communities.”

- Andre Williams

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