Home : News : Residents asked to close windows after landfill fire
20 November 2006
A fire at the Omarunui Landfill in Hastings continues to burn this morning, with 30 fire fighters and six fire appliances still on site.
The fire started yesterday at around 3.30pm. The original fire has been extinguished using layers of foam, but what remains is a deep-seated fire confined to plastics and general rubbish.
Fire fighters are this morning working with a combination of diggers, foam and water to extinguish what remains of the fire.
Emergency services evacuated all households in the immediate vicinity last night, although residents were allowed to return to their homes by 11pm.
The New Zealand Fire Service and representatives from Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Occupational Health and Safety and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council remain at the site.
Anyone with health concerns they feel could be related to the fire, such as coughing, watery eyes or sore throat, should contact their doctor or the hospital emergency department.
People with questions regarding air contamination are advised to contact Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s ‘Pollution Line’ on 06 835 9200.
For more information
Jessica Soutar Barron
Communications Officer
(06) 878 0510 ex. 8629
027 275 5205
