THE revelation that the ongoing Vunato rubbish dump fire was deliberately lit by people who illegally entered the site after hours to collect scrap metal is a major concern. This is not just about a fire. It’s about deliberate acts of irresponsibility that endanger public health, the environment, and the safety of Lautoka residents.
Lautoka City Council’s special administrators chairperson, Taitusi Rasoki, confirmed that investigations have identified two suspects who were seen in the area before the fire began. The council is now working closely with its security team and the Fiji Police Force to investigate the matter further.
Mr Rasoki clarified that the dump was not set alight by the council, as claimed by some members of the public. “The council will never engage in such illegal acts. In fact, it tried its best to prevent the spread of the fire to three other sections,” he said.
That statement also underscores how vulnerable our waste sites are to reckless behaviour by a few people. Mr Rasoki explained that similar incidents had happened before. Fires were deliberately lit by scrap collectors trying to expose metals buried within waste piles. This dangerous and unlawful practice must stop.
The council, he said, strongly condemns such actions. In recent months, two smaller fires were successfully contained within a few hours through joint efforts by the National Fire Authority (NFA) and the council. However, the current blaze is the largest in many years.
Despite round-the-clock security, he said monitoring a 45-acre landfill is an enormous challenge, particularly at night. Mr Rasoki acknowledged the NFA’s support and admitted that a misunderstanding had caused a delay in the initial response, which allowed the fire to spread. The Ministry of Environment has also been kept informed and continues to monitor the situation.
According to the council, one section of the fire has been extinguished, while smoke continues to rise from two others. The active fire, he said, is under control.
As Mr Rasoki explained, landfill fires are difficult to contain because of the multiple underground layers of aged rubbish that continue to smoulder long after surface flames are put out.
The council has appealed for patience and cooperation from the public, especially from nearby residents who have endured thick smoke for days on end.
Mr Rasoki emphasised the need for public vigilance and adherence to landfill access restrictions to prevent further incidents. He also called for greater support from the Government, donor agencies, and the community to improve landfill management while waiting for the new dump site to be commissioned.
He said that despite widespread concern, there have been no official reports of health emergencies or spikes in respiratory illnesses linked to the fire. Council staff, he said, have been working tirelessly, 10- to 12-hour shifts for two weeks, without reporting any health issues.
Still, that is little comfort for residents who have been breathing in smoke for days. The psychological and physical toll cannot be understated. Such fires create environmental hazards and also a lot of public frustration and fear.
We need stronger enforcement and accountability. Those who deliberately set fires at landfill sites must face the full brunt of the law. Harsh penalties are justified, and necessary. People who ignite such fires are not only breaking the law; they are endangering lives and livelihoods.
This incident must serve as a wake-up call for everyone, from residents, authorities, and to policymakers. We need greater vigilance, tighter controls, and stronger deterrents to prevent this from happening again. Lautoka’s residents deserve clean air, safe surroundings, and the assurance that those responsible for this reckless act will be brought to justice. This shouldn’t be happening in the first place!
