Fire at the waste landfill at the north entrance of Beirut. (Credit: Maria Cosette Molijn)
A fire broke out Thursday at the Burj Hammoud waste landfill, located at the northern entrance of Beirut, according to reports from the state-run National News Agency (NNA) and several witnesses.
According to a statement from the Civil Defense, the fire began at 6:05 p.m. and created a large plume of smoke visible from a considerable distance. The statement also noted that the fire was still burning around 8 p.m. and that it was crucial to extinguish it due to the toxic nature of the smoke. The fire was still ablaze by 10:30 p.m.
Firefighting operations are being conducted with the support of the Beirut Fire Brigade and in cooperation with the company responsible for the landfill. The Civil Defense added that caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi is closely monitoring the progress of the operations.
Mawlawi "ordered the director general of Civil Defense, Brig. Gen. Raymond Khattar, to significantly increase the presence of personnel and fire-fighting vehicles from several Civil Defense centers." This decision aims to control the ongoing fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby fuel tanks, according to an official statement released around 9:30 p.m.
The minister also stated that he contacted the governor of Mount Lebanon, Mohammad Mekkawi, requesting measures to keep citizens away from the burning landfill. The statement added that it is "crucial to issue clear instructions to avoid inhaling toxic smoke." He also mentioned that "sand trucks should be brought in to help extinguish the fire."
"Firefighting operations are continuing with active support from the Beirut Fire Brigade. Additionally, Bassam Mawlawi has called on contractors to provide bulldozers and vehicles to assist with on-site efforts," the statement concluded.