July 18, 2005 – Travelers on mid-island St. Croix saw an ugly sky Monday afternoon as the Anguilla landfill caught fire and billowed smoke. One resident even reported difficulty driving on the highway amidst all the smoke.
In a press release, Health Commissioner Darlene A. Carty urged asthma sufferers and residents with other respiratory illnesses to take precautions against smoke inhalation.
The fire, which broke out about 1 p.m., started in an area where metals are heaped, according to Environmental Health Officer Stevie Webster.
Webster said that some tires near the area were burning, contributing to the heavy smoke.
The V.I. Waste Management Authority also sent out a press release. It said the landfill was closed until further notice.
May Adams Cornwall, executive director of the authority said, "emergency response procedures were initiated immediately." She added, "Once the situation is brought under control, a thorough investigation will be made to determine the cause of this fire."
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