The Waste Management Authority said Sunday night that an active fire at the St. Croix Transfer Station at the authority’s Anguilla Landfill site had ignited, and the authority urged those with respiratory problems to stay indoors. WMA said the fire was reported at approximately 4:20 p.m. Sunday.
When The Consortium arrived on the scene, only a security guard appeared to be on location. Moments later, VI Fire Service Personnel arrived, followed by some WMA contractors, two of whom were notified either by watching a live feed of the fire carried by The Consortium, or directly by a Consortium reporter.
WMA said first responders were attempting to contain the fire as of Sunday night. The authority said it would continue to provide updates regarding changes that may affect public health and haulers utilizing the Transfer Station. WMA also apologized for any inconvenience the fire may have caused.
Explosions could be heard in the Transfer Station building as the fire spread. Plumes of thick, black smoke erupted into the sky spreading far and wide. As it happened, an aircraft leaving the nearby Henry E. Rohlsen Airport flew over.
According to a WMA contractor, yesterday’s incident was not the first time fire had ignited in the Transfer Station. This contractor said as the garbage compacts inside the building, the higher it gets the more heat accumulates, which could lead to a fire.
For more information about the incident, contact WMA’s communications at 340-513-4171 or email [email protected].
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