'Toxic smoke' swirls over Nelson Mandela Bay after tip blaze — ward councillor
Plumes of what has been called "toxic smoke" rise from the Arlington Tip in Nelson Mandela Bay, where another fire broke out at the unfenced landfill.
Image: SUPPLIED
“Toxic smoke” is billowing from an unfenced landfill and waste facility in Nelson Mandela Bay, a ward councillor said on Sunday.
Ward 1 councillor Dries van der Westhuizen said the so-called noxious fumes come from sporadic fires at the Arlington Tip.
And though there is no proof the smoke is harmful, residents have described it as “toxic", he told IOL on Sunday night.
“There are sporadic fires at the Arlington Tip,” he said.
“I used the word toxic because a few residents referred to it that way.
“There is still no proof that it is actually toxic or dangerous … the municipality will be asked to carry out official tests on Monday.
“Remember, each fire will be different.”
Earlier on Sunday, Van der Westhuizen, in a statement, said his office was aware of the “toxic smoke emanating from the Arlington Tip".
“Please be aware that it is not [municipal] staff that are starting the fires,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the tip does not have a fence and thus hundreds of people access the area for various reasons.”
Many of the residents, he said, collect wires and then start fires to melt the plastic coverings.
“Often the fires are just started for malicious reasons,” he said.
“The bush fires have 'jumped' over onto the tip.
“Just yesterday [Saturday] evening another fire was started by unknown people, just after the previous fire was under control.”
He said fires at the tip normally burn deep under the rubbish.
“Thus it is not just a case of pouring water to extinguish … fire trucks, bulldozers and excavators are required,” he said.
Various fires have sprung up in the Bay recently.
On Wednesday, the municipality, in a warning to residents, reported 13 fires sparked by factors including vegetation and rubbish fires.
“The fires are under control, with firefighting vehicles and teams on the ground ensuring the safety of communities and preventing further spread,” it said.
The affected areas included Motherwell, Kariega, Malabar, Gqeberha Central and Westering.
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