Spot Fires in Wheeland located dump; not arson says Minister of Health

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, January 28, 2022 – Spontaneous combustion’ is thought to be the cause of dumpster fires in the Wheeland District which residents say heavily polluted the air on Monday night, says Minister of Health Jamell Robinson.

Robinson, and member of parliament, Kyle Knowles visited the troubled Providenciales dump on Monday (January 24) morning where several spot fires were identified as the cause for the irritating, possibly toxic smoke.  Minister Robinson confirmed the spot fires were being put out with “the water and quarry method”; which means wet and cover. 

At the time we spoke to the Health & Human Minister, whose Environmental Health Department is the interim manager of the dumpsite or Providenciales Landfill, it was not certain how contained the small blazes were and whether the spot fires would be put out before nightfall.   

After the visit Knowles says a Task Force was created to provide efficient and effective solutions through consultation to manage the problem.

The problem has been plaguing residents of the area for years and MP Knowles promised that he was committed to the issue and providing clean air to Wheeland residents remains a top priority.