Pulau Burung landfill peat fire brought under control after four days

GEORGE TOWN: The Fire and Rescue Department has brought the peat fire at Pulau Burung landfill under control after four days but people in the vicinity have been warned to take precautions against the toxic smoke emanating from the fire.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohd Hafiz Hafizal Timaradin said the department along with the state Environment Department and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) were looking at ways on how to best contain the smoke.

He said the simmering fire beneath which began on Jan 12 had destroyed 4ha of rubbish on the site.

"We are urging the residents to take precautions and guard themselves against inhaling the toxic smoke from the rubbish.

"Since the fire was brought under control, we have reduced the fire fighting personnel from 27 to 15 members presently with one fire engine and two tankers on standby,” he added.

An MBSP spokesman said about 20 council staff members with 10,000 litres of water helped the Fire Services put out the fire.

"Four water lorries were on standby, making 22 trips a day to supply water to the effort," added the spokesman.