Still some smoke plumes at dump
(CNS): As the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) and the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) continue battling the latest fire at the George Town dump, officials said the focus is shifting away from the top mound of the landfill, where the fire has been contained, towards a lower section. As a result, intermittent smoke plumes are expected from the site as crews excavate and douse the area, according to the latest update following a CIFS inspection Thursday morning.
Officials said that overall smoke levels generated from the site have reduced considerably since the fire began on Sunday, 8 March. Following a change in wind direction overnight, fire officers went to the South Sound area this morning to observe smoke in the area but reported that conditions there were clear with no visible smoke.
“Excavating, damping down and capping will continue today as crews work to bring the incident to a safe and prompt conclusion,” the update stated.
Some amount of smoke may linger in the area and residents in the vicinity should continue to make their own assessments of their area and act accordingly, officials said.
People living in homes affected by smoke should keep windows, doors and air-conditioning vents closed as a precaution and limit the amount of time spent outside in the smoke. People with asthma should carry their inhaler.
Motorists travelling through smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air-conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
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Category: Local News
2:19, thank you for your comment.
Keep posing because many others, not just Lakeview residents are in the same situation. They, just like you, need to learn from scratch on how to deal with insurance and might join you in a class action lawsuit.
This is uncharted territory in the Cayman Islands, and you need all the help you can get. You will be setting a precedent, and it is always hard.
Remember, United you stand. That was demonstrated twice already: the port development is most certainly a history and Smith Cove redevelopment is abandoned.
Pay no attention to 2:45. Don’t even respond.
Look at the height of the beast….years and years of neglect…”Regression” embarrassed as a Caymanian.
just wondering if ur nonsense applies to parkway, kirks,wharf, bay town plaza, dog city????
They all need to be demolished, including Marbel Drive.
Fire Service has their work cut out for them until we receive a substantial downpour. More fires to come before Rainy Season, that it if there is one this year.
Good thing those kids are back at school. Safe and sound
Lakeside just posted today there going going to fix anything.
Why are insurance people saying lakeside is safe by eye.
Theres are particulates int he air that you can not see, not a single person on this island can verify anything from the fire is safe.
Community your being lied to, have a professional company come down and test the island. Theres no labs and the $200 air testing meters can not work in situations like this.
The longer we wait the more damage to the environment and help!
See the email from lakeside below just released a few mins ago!
Dear Owners,
The Loss Adjuster and Insurance Representative were back on site yesterday inspecting the exterior of the buildings for damage. They also looked inside a sampling of units in buildings G, I, J and K. There is significant soot and smoke damage to the exterior of the buildings.
From the units they did enter, there was no smoke smell detected in any of them. There was also no soot or smoke damage to the walls, furnishings, or AC units that they could detect. I have not received an official email from the Insurance Company if we can claim for the exterior damage to Lakeside. I do not anticipate they will entertain any claim for damages to the inside of units.
Attached is an information sheet with two companies who have offered their services for cleaning, air purification, etc. Kindly note should you opt to contact them and have your unit cleaned, it will be at your own expense.
In the meantime, we have requested the pool company come and service the pools, and the pool chairs will be cleaned tomorrow.
Della continues to work out of my West Bay office as the smoke on the property is still quite intense.
work harder on your hysterical nonsense. come back with facts not irrational thoughts….
Work harder? I don’t have to work at all nature provides us with the tools of healing. Irrational thoughts are all vailded by science.
Your comment is pretty hysterical because you made no quote for any part of my comment or stata letter.
I can provide you with scholarly articles is that what you want?
Tell us please.. Do
Hmmm….if you think that you are spared because you don’t live there, think again, harder!
Lakeview residents WILL file class action lawsuit against CIG and many others.
Some tips:
Q: My neighbor’s home burned down but mine seems undamaged– what should I do?
A: Even if there is no obvious damage to your home, it may have been impacted by extreme heat, smoke or fire retardant, so you still need to have it thoroughly inspected by an experienced and qualified professional.
Q: Who should inspect the damage?
A: Licensed, experienced professionals. Contractors and Structural Engineers are qualified to evaluate damage (and the structural integrity of your roof/ remaining beams, etc.) and estimate the cost of repairs. A Certified Industrial Hygenist is qualified to test the air quality. It is rarely sufficient to have a serious loss inspected/evaluated only by the adjuster assigned by your insurer. It is almost always necessary to have qualified professionals in addition to the adjuster’s inspection. If your insurer refuses to conduct or pay for proper inspections, ask again in writing, politely remind them of their legal duty to thoroughly investigate all damage, including hidden damage. If a dispute arises, it’s worth finding and paying for your own inspection by an independent reputable specialist.
Q: What does a “thorough inspection” include?
A: A thorough inspection will cover the following areas:
Roof: Your roof should be inspected for damage from burning embers. If heat was extreme, the roof structure may be compromised. Wood under the roofing material may be water stained and moldy. A roofing expert can verify damage.
Structural Steel, Iron: Steel and iron structures may transfer heat and destabilize a foundation or retaining wall.
Stucco, Siding and Concrete: Stucco may spall and crack due to dehydration and baking. Siding may melt after exposure to heat and mold may be present underneath. Heat may also damage an anchored foundation or footing and may require testing as well as concrete core sampling. Structural engineers may do x-ray testing and other miscellaneous forensic work.
Windows: Window frames may melt, blister or discolor due to heat. Glass can experience warping and discoloration and may lose some of its transparent clarity. Warped windows can lead to moisture problems and/or a mold problem.
Plumbing and Heating Systems: Pipes, solder/connectors and ducts should be checked for damage.
Interior Walls/Framing: A contractor conducting a thorough inspection of your home’s interior may need to open up walls to check for damage to the framing, or to uncover potentially dangerous mold. It’s better to uncover damage sooner rather than later. Be politely assertive in claim negotiations to make sure your home is restored to a “uniform and consistent” appearance as opposed to a “patchwork quilt” of unmatched new and old materials. Read more information below about “matching.”
If you or a resident of your home has health sensitivities such as allergies or asthma, alert your adjuster right away. Mold and soot inside your home, if not eliminated, can irritate people with respiratory problems. After a partial loss, you can (and should) seek payment from your insurer for mold, smoke, soot and odor mitigation.
Your adjuster may tell you that it is sufficient for you to wipe surfaces yourself, and that a deep cleaning is not necessary. The cleaning/drying process can be expensive when it’s done right, so insurance companies have developed ways to control their payouts for this work. You must stand firm and reject shortcuts and improper cleaning.
It is also very important to have the entire HVAC system of your home cleaned out. You can access some parts of the system and clean by hand, but a professional should do the rest.
Q: Will my insurance policy pay for cleaning smoke and ash?
A: Smoke damage is a covered peril in most homeowners policies. It will (temporarily or permanently) damage porous materials such as fabrics, rugs, curtains and unfinished wood. Some items can be cleaned, others need to be replaced. Marble and tile may experience discoloration. Your insurance company will most likely pay for cleaning smoke and ash, but disputes often arise over cleaning versus replacing items that have been exposed to smoke. For example, suppose your insurance adjuster insists that cleaning your drapes is sufficient. The scenario below presents two possible outcomes:
Scenario A: You take the drapes to a reputable cleaner who insists there’s no point in cleaning them, or you get them professionally cleaned but they still have an odor. In this case, replace the drapes and get reimbursed by your insurer.
Scenario B: A reputable cleaner does a good job and the drapes clean up just fine. In this case, repairing or cleaning can be acceptable and appropriate.
Q: My yard is a mess. Will my insurance pay for damaged plants and trees?
A: Extreme heat and smoke will kill most plants and may contaminate soil, making replanting difficult. Damaged plants may not die right away. Keep your claim open for at least six months and file supplemental claims if necessary. Coverage for the cost of landscaping replacement is typically a set amount or a percentage of your dwelling coverage amount. Make sure you do your own math to calculate the maximum amount you can recover. Landscaping losses often exceed coverage limits – mature trees can be valued as high as $5,000 yet many policies contain a $500 per tree limit.
If you live on a hillside, loss of foliage from a fire can lead to landslides and/or mudslides in rainy conditions. It is important to quickly replant your property with native trees and grasses to stabilize the landscape. Sandbags can provide temporary landscape protection until your new plants have a chance to mature.
That is shameless, but expected BS. The first thing for any insurance to do is deny all claims. Even without properly collected sample and analysis.
Don’t attempt any cleanup yourself and until after sampling was collected by a professional company. Dispatch them from overseas ASAP.