Fire at abandoned Madampitiya garbage dump | Sunday Observer

Fire at abandoned Madampitiya garbage dump

19 January, 2020

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) deployed four fire engines to douse a fire that erupted in the now abandoned Madampitiya garbage dump in Grandpass.

Chief Fire Officer attached to the CMC Fire Service Department P. D. K. A. Wilson said the fire was ignited by the prevailing dry weather.

The fire was first reported on Tuesday (14), and has been breaking out from time to time. By yesterday evening CMC’s fire service successfully controlled the latest break out.

About 15 officers of the Fire Service Department battled the fires and struggled to find sufficient water for their mission, and pumped water from the Kelani River, that was about a kilometre from the site. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board and Sri Lanka Navy helped to douse the fire.

“This is a normal phenomenon. When there is dry weather garbage dumps tend to flare up due to accumulated garbage and toxins,” Wilson said. He predicts more fires in other garbage sites if the dry weather continues.

The Chief Fire Officer said the mismanagement of garbage dump resulted in such fires.

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