Reminder Persons with respiratory challenges advised to close windows and doors
UPDATE: Landfill Reopened to Waste Haulage Companies
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), in an update on Sunday with respect to the landfill fire on Pond Island, would like to inform the waste haulage companies that the landfill has reopened.
Waste haulage companies can deliver their household refuse and other items to the landfill by visiting the main entry gate and following the instructions from the person on-site who will direct them to the area to dispose of their refuse.
Ministry VROMI was forced to close the landfill earlier on Sunday due to a fire.
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Part of the landfill on Pond Island is on fire. Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), would like to inform the waste disposal companies that the landfill is currently closed.
Ministry VROMI on Sunday was working on a temporary waste disposal area at the landfill to ensure that household garbage can be continuously picked up according to the schedules of the waste haulage companies. Additional information with respect to this will be released via the media.
The Fire Department in a follow-up to an initial notice by the Police Department issued early Sunday morning around 2.00am, reiterates to residents living downwind in the Philipsburg area and surrounding neighborhoods from the landfill smoke, should close windows and doors.
This advisory is especially for persons who have a respiratory challenge such as asthma or shortness of breath.
The Fire Department along with Ministry VROMI has been working for a number of hours to contain the fire at the landfill on Pond Island.
The Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation and request the nearby communities to follow the aforementioned advice while smoke continues to impact nearby communities.
