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Providence Industrial Estate still closed as a result of landfill fire |29 September 2022

Providence Industrial Estate still closed as a result of landfill fire

Work in progress to put the fire under control yesterday evening

  • Fire remains under control

 

School institutions and businesses in the vicinity of the Providence Industrial Estate are to remain closed today despite the fire at the Providence landfill 2 being under control, authorities yesterday confirmed.

The blaze, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon, had by yesterday mid-morning spread towards the portion of the landfill facing the highway, although visibly under control as compared to the evening before.

As per senior division officer of the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA), Jones Madeleine, his officers and partners worked throughout Tuesday night in an attempt to put the fire on landfill 2, Providence, under control.

His 30-strong team worked a 24-hour shift from 8am on Tuesday morning, tending to the fire through the afternoon and night, before another team of eighteen took over on Wednesday morning.

Assisting the operation yesterday was the Vijay Construction Company who contributed a large water pump to try and gradually flood the mountain of rubbish, alongside SFRSA fire trucks.

Speaking to the media at around 6pm yesterday, Mr Madeleine said that as part of the operations to stop the fire from spreading to nearby areas, they were laying coral fill as fast as possible, in an attempt to cover the area.

“The rain from this morning (yesterday) has been of some help, but not of help at the same time. It has helped in the sense that it lowers the temperature slightly, but, it creates a colder atmosphere which is not favourable, as it causes the smoke to accumulate and remain suppressed, thereby spreading further and affecting more places,” Mr Madeleine noted.

With the sun also making an appearance at intervals throughout the day, the fire had again sparked, making the operation even more difficult.

Given the length of time for which the fire has been burning, fire pockets could still be observed early evening, as the winds carry more oxygen to these craters, fuelling the fire even further.

In relation to the comment that water is of no use when it comes to deep-seated blazes, Mr Madeleine denied the claim, noting that water helps to lower the temperatures, while also preventing combustible rubbish and substances from burning, and to douse the flames to allow for the laying of coral fill and other fire-fighting techniques on top of the landfill.

Mr Madeleine remarked that the SFRSA lacks proper equipment and adequate manpower to handle situations of such intensity, although discussions are under way with government to better equip the agency in future.

By yesterday afternoon SFRSA was getting ready to test some new equipment which they had received during the day.

The Seychelles Police Force had yesterday cordoned off the Providence Industrial Zone, controlling vehicular access to the industrial zone.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Monthy noted that the public have been cooperative thus far. The majority of businesses remained closed yesterday, with a few business owners dropping in just to check on their respective businesses.

“The Providence area is very busy, with many vehicles and people, so, if ever the situation worsens, it would be extremely difficult to evacuate people and the vehicles, so, we are ensuring that we have control over the situation,” Mr Monthy added.

It should be noted that as of yesterday evening, the SFRSA and its partners had decided to maintain the closure of the Providence Industrial Estate, advising businesses and schools in the vicinity to remain closed, as there was still smoke emanating from the landfill 2.

“We are maintaining the previous advisory so everything remains the same for the businesses in the area although we are doing our best to rectify the matter as soon as possible. For the two schools in the vicinity, namely the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA), they are to remain closed. Other than that, we have given the go ahead for other schools to resume their normal day operation,” said Mr Madeleine.

An advisory to that effect was released by the Ministry of Education in the early evening yesterday calling on all schools, except for SIT and SMA, to resume their operations today.

Meanwhile, in light of the fire, the Ministry of Health issued an advisory yesterday for the public, especially those around the East, Central and Northern regions of Mahé, to stay away from places where the smoke is lingering.

In the case that it is not possible to avoid such areas, the ministry advises the wearing of a well-fitted mask over the nose and mouth, to reduce the effect of smoke in the airways. Persons in such areas experiencing burning eyes are to wash their eyes with clean running water immediately, while others experiencing breathing difficulties are to visit their nearest health centre for assistance.

For its part, the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) noted that it has had an Airport Fire team on standby since the breakout of the fire on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite the fact that flights and airport operations were not affected, the authority issued a Notice to Airmen, informing pilots and airline operators of the situation and possible smoke on the Northern approach side, stated general manager of Airport Management Colin Chang-Tave.

Airport Chief Fire Officer Bernard Henriette added that the authority’s 93 officials are ready and willing to help if absolutely necessary, although the authority has to be extremely cautious in deploying its men and resources, due to the various international obligations, including from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) Flavien Joubert, before the National Assembly clarified that the portion of landfill where the fire broke out was not active or in use presently, with waste disposed North of the landfill.

The Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA) has assisted the operations to contain the fire and prevent the situation from worsening.

“One of the reasons why they encountered some problems with the work yesterday is due to the lack of water supply, and the fire service had some difficulties in locating water sources,” Minister Joubert clarified.

Nine trucks were assisting the LWMA with laying coral fill, as well as two excavators, meaning there will be some delays in waste collection, and other services at the landfill, he added.

The ministry is working to acquire additional materials to cover the landfills. Additionally, an urgent meeting is to be held within coming days towards improved coordination in such situations in future.

A pump system dedicated to the landfill and neighbouring properties is another concern which the ministry and relevant authorities hopes to sort out at the soonest possible opportunity.

A waste to energy project is set to kick off today, with the arrival of experts in the country.

Meanwhile it should be noted that President Wavel Ramkalawan was on the landfill 2 on Tuesday until late in the evening to assess the situation. He and his delegation returned to the site yesterday for a progress report on the incident. Accompanying him were ministers Naadir Hassan, Devika Vidot, Billy Rangasamy, Errol Fonseca and Flavien Joubert.

 

Patsy Canaya

Photos by Joena Meme/Patsy Canaya

 

 

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