Pockwood Pond Dumpsite Fire Swiftly Controlled with New Protocols

The Department of Waste Management’s recent implementation of new protocols that generates early notifications led to the quick and decisive action taken to extinguish an early morning blaze at the Pockwood Pond Dumpsite on Tortola.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, 9th December, the Department received reports of the fire, triggering an immediate response from the Fire and Rescue Service.

Director of Waste Management, Mr. Marcus Solomon, provided insights into the situation, revealing that the fire originated in the dumpsite tipping area before spreading rapidly to the nearby BVI Electricity Plant. “The fire was likely caused by older garbage heat, which came into contact with combustibles. The combustion of the materials could be heard on the site and spread to the entire garbage load, fuelling the quick acceleration of the fire,” Mr. Solomon explained.

Acknowledging challenges arising from the inoperability of the incinerator, Mr. Solomon emphasised the need for community collaboration to prevent future incidents. He stated, “We are working on waste management strategies to improve the way we process our waste, but we still need assistance from the community.”

While the Department addresses equipment needs, infrastructure improvements, and contractor training, Mr. Solomon appealed to the public, saying, “We are pleading with the community to reduce, repurpose, and reuse to assist with decreasing waste generation. We also want them to stop putting hazardous and flammable materials into the waste stream.”

As firefighting efforts continue, the public is advised to take necessary health precautions and avoid exposure to smoke. Furthermore, until further notice, the Pockwood Pond dumpsite will not be accepting any garbage, with access restricted to those capable of reaching the hill’s top.