Recent information about the Vunato Landfill fire in Lautoka last weekend suggests that scrap metal collectors frequenting the site may have caused the blaze, says Lautoka Board of Special Administrators chair Taitusi Rasoki.
Mr Rasoki said fires at the Vunato landfill were a common occurrence in Lautoka.
“Mostly it happens when we are nearing the festive season,” he said.
“I just heard the latest information from the public: the people who sell scrap metal will burn that place so that the rubbish clears, then they pick up the scrap metal and sell it, but I cannot say that’s the cause of this fire, but it was deliberate.”
He said the council had sought the assistance of police.
“We will try to improve on ways of containing fire because the landfill is a very big area.
“No one can go right into the area because it’s all rubbish there and it’s unhealthy for the people to go there.”
Questions were also sent to National Fire Authority chief executive officer Puamau Sowane.
