Work continues to cool down the GT dump

(CNS): A fire that began at the George Town dump at the beginning of the month is still not completely out and, warning that smoke would be in the air again, officials said that an excavator was used Friday to dig down to the heart of a fire to get to the smouldering hot spots.

Although fire crews were able to put out the flames on 1 March, the hot-spots remained. On 5 March a large chunk of concrete, which was retaining heat, had to be removed, but work continues to cool the dump down.

In order for fire crews to reach the seat of the fire, extra staff were brought in to put in position before the excavator could start digging, which caused the landfill to smoke more than normal on Friday. However, government officials assured the public that the fire was contained and the work would help reduced further ignitions at the dump.

Heavy equipment is used to help extinguish a fire at Grand Cayman’s dump (file photo)