Tortola landfill fires reignite health fears and demands for accountability

Families across western Tortola are contending with smoke from fires at the Pockwood Pond landfill, with complaints of respiratory symptoms and mounting frustration over the lack of action to prevent the problem from recurring.

One resident took to social media to describe the toll: eyes and throat that burn, and nights interrupted by coughing fits when wind pushes smoke toward homes. The grievances point to particular vulnerability among children, the elderly and those already dealing with lung or breathing problems.

This is not a new crisis. Two major fires at the same landfill in May 2022, on the 16th and 22nd of that month, sent smoke across the western part of the island and drew resident complaints. At the time, Health Minister Marlon Penn told lawmakers that the cause of the first fire had not been pinpointed by investigators. The Department of Waste Management, however, had discovered that people were entering the site after dark and using blowtorches or comparable tools to extract copper and other metals from waste, a practice officials believed may have sparked some of the fires.

The return of landfill fires points to a broader failure: whether the government has taken adequate steps to stop future incidents, manage fires burning underground and shield surrounding neighbourhoods from harm.

Residents are now seeking clarity on critical matters. They want to know what is triggering the current fires and whether authorities have launched a formal inquiry. They are asking what steps are underway to put out underground fires and stop them from flaring up again. They want confirmation that air quality is being tracked and that findings will be shared with the public. They need to understand what health risks officials have identified for people living nearby, especially young people. And they want details on what changes are planned to stop the landfill from burning repeatedly.

Beyond the immediate smoke, the anger reflects deeper concerns about who bears responsibility if residents face lasting health damage. The resident's post posed the question starkly: if a child becomes seriously ill from prolonged exposure to the smoke, who will face consequences.

The government and its departments have an obligation to run waste facilities safely, manage environmental hazards and keep residents informed about dangers in their neighbourhoods. Families reporting disrupted sleep and throat pain deserve more than reassurance: they need transparent updates, clear explanations of what is being done and defined accountability for how the facility is run.