AS the Vunato landfill site fire reaches its fifth day, the Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association has called for the Lautoka City Council and emergency services to accelerate efforts to extinguish the blaze.
Association president Narayan Reddy raised concerns regarding a delayed initial response, noting that council officials were informed nearly two hours after security first spotted the fire on October 31.
“Today is the fourth day of the fire at Vunato, started on a Sunday and we were told that the security that was there informed the council late,” he said.
“Unfortunately, if you look at it, the fire at the rubbish dump is a problem every year for Lautoka.”
Despite previous council investments in watchtowers, security cameras, and fire hydrants, Mr Reddy said smoke from the site continued to affect nearby residential settlements, commercial areas along Marine Drive, and neighbouring businesses.
The situation has raised concerns among residents with existing medical conditions
“For the residents of Lautoka, we have people, the younger people, even the older people who suffer from respiratory disease.
“We’ve got people suffering from asthma and other diseases that are being rushed to the hospital.”
Mr Reddy requested support from non-governmental organisations to supply breathing masks and urged the National Fire Authority to assist in managing the site.
He also reiterated proposals to relocate the landfill away from coastal areas, citing capacity limits and environmental impact.
