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Stakeholders begin putting out dumpsite fire
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
September 13, 2007

http://allafrica.com/stories/200709130277.html

The City of Harare together with Environment Africa and other stakeholders yesterday started extinguishing fire at the Pomona dumpsite that is producing a lot of toxic fumes into the atmosphere.

The dumpsite, which has been burning for the past two weeks, is producing toxic fumes that are affecting residents adjacent to the dumpsite. Some of the concerned residents who were at the dumpsite said they had become prone to respiratory problems and applauded the steps taken by Environment Africa and the City of Harare.

Officials from the City of Harare predicted extinguishing the fire would take three to four days as they will be covering the burning trash with gravel.

"Fire tenders tried to put out the fire, but the fire is now underneath such that water alone is not enough. If given all the resources we can make it in two days of hard work," the officials said.

The officials said they have already dug enough gravel to compact the fire and are making frantic efforts to put out the fire. Environment Africa chief executive officer Ms Charlene Hewart said they had mobilised resources from the corporate world and the residents to put out the fire.

"We appealed to the corporate sector to assist us in fighting the fire, and I must say some companies actually complied. The smoke that is coming out of this dumpsite is full of toxins and is harmful especially to young children because the smoke is getting in their lungs," Ms Hewart said.

Equipment sourced includes bulldozers, compactors, and work roars into full swing today.

A veld fire gutted a timber sawmill in Marondera and destroyed planks and timber worth almost $40 billion and some equipment early yesterday morning.

Marondera fire brigade responded to the distress call but arrived without water. The fire raged from around 2am to 7am and had to be put out by the Harare Fire Brigade. It is suspected that the fire started when some workmen cooked sadza about 300 metres away and left the fire unattended. An administrator at the sawmill which trades as GoodHope timbers — Mr Floyd Hamandishe — said all the timber valued at $35 billion that was in the stores and ready for dispatch went up in spoke.

"The fire also destroyed three electric motors, eight drums of creosote (used for treating gum poles), a thickneser recently bought for R25 000 and logs that were awaiting milling valued at more than $4 billion," he said.

Mr Hamandishe said they managed to salvage the saw-milling machine with help from the public, before the building was gutted by fire.

Mr Hamandishe said that the premises were insured.

Irate residents of Marondera complained about the municipal disaster preparedness, despite them paying a levy.

"We should pay the fire levy to Harare Fire Brigade as they are the ones who are putting out fires here in Marondera," fumed Mr Justin Chinyoka of Rujeko.

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