A comprehensive investigation from both the fire department and the police is to be pursued following a fire which occurred at the Fond Cole Landfill last week.
Minister for National Security and Legal Affairs, Rayburn Blackmoore made the disclosure while addressing a press conference recently.
“The matter is currently being investigated by the police and to look at the root cause of that fire. I don’t want to point any fingers, but anytime we have a fire, as a former investigator myself, we’re treating it as a potential arson,” he said.
“So a comprehensive investigation from both the fire department and the police [is] to be pursued.”
Blackmoore said it would have been impossible to have contained the fire without the support of the Chinese construction team working on the international airport, partnered with the Ministry of Public Works, among other individuals.
Furthermore, he commended the Superintendent of the Dominica State Prison who he said was very proactive in ensuring that the inmates who were asthmatic were nebulized early enough, and they were held in a recreational facility for their comfort.
Acting Chief Fire Officer Wayne Letang pointed out compared to past fires at the landfill, “This one had the quickest knockdown time.”
“Within 24 hours, we had a serious knockdown and the mopping up procedures started,” he reiterated.
He thanked the fire officers who fought tirelessly from Monday afternoon (June 30) at the site.
“This operation saw the involvement of 42 fire officers from the Roseau and St Joseph Fire Station with assistance from staff at the other stations,” he said.
Letang said the fire service will continue in its efforts to protect the residents and assist in bringing relief during any such incidents.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC) Rhoda St John, in a statement last week, advised the general public that the Fond Cole Landfill will not be accepting tires, metals, and white goods until August 2025.
White goods generally refer to large household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, air conditioners, and water heaters.
Mr. minister..are u serious? can this administration seriously prosecute any RED member…honestly best you close your mouth…stop blowing bubbles….as usual
A former investigator only landfill fire you are pursuing other things are not worthy of being investigated. other countries have hand landfill fires because of the different material and breakdown ans gases combustible material paper, clothing and all other material dead animals meat etc. and with years of build up. this is one of the concerns around trash like or landfills as far as people who are reading are concerned..
The landfill site was constructed and paid for by the EU and had a 15 year lifespan. It is now so over capacity that garbage is now simply being buried under the soil with no management of chemicals and gases which build up under pressure until they generate so much heat they combust. If you are trying to find out who is to blame, it’s easy – just look in the mirror.
This is the guy who was all over the place ‘bla-jay-ing’ that his administration spent an imperceptible amount of $$$$$, to install cameras at the port to curb the amount of illegal guns cominig into the country. The buffoon should have shut his big mouth, and quietly pick up those involved in this nefarious trade, but by bla, bla-ing like a guy with hot YAM in his mouth, he must have caused many of those criminals involved in this dangerous activity to stop. Buffoon you must know when to talk. This happened because his government is not known to spend much money to keep the people safe, so when they spend EC$0.5 to do that, he must behave like a hen after it has laid an egg.
This guy is a buffoon, a fool, a pinhead, a cretin, a dimwit, and a sot! He must be the most stuipid Minister of National Security in CARICOM.
Can i ask lang sal Austrie to give me an idea of who you are Blackmore?
MEME
This talk about investigation isn’t the fire at the landfill is just farcical. It is a red herring to deflect accountability from the administration’s ineptitude. They are seeking to blame this ‘fiery disaster ‘ on an innocent vagrant.
The present landfill has long served its time. There should have been a replacement eons ago. Blackmoore is one of the many faces of money business for this unscrupulous, grossly incompetent regime.
This Roosevelt-led administration will be forever remembered for its greed, selfishness and gross incapability.
Abe way papa look things that under investigation in Dominica without any results. But then again is team work so you find the same team mates that are asked to do certain things are the same ones that talking about thorough investigation and the same ones hiding things that are critical to a true investigation and as a result a report of their investigation is never made public . So investigation only sounds good to the ears without any patat result