at NW. Charlesburg under control,” the spokesman of the KBS, Olton Pinas, told Times of Suriname. It is extremely difficult to tackle the fire that is mainly raging ‘underground’ due to the complexity of the circumstances and the lack of equipment.

Pinas explained that the fire department borrowed an excavator from the Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning. The flames are deep underneath all of the garbage which makes it more difficult to put them out with water. “The fire is underground. Without bulldozers we cannot fight it efficiently,” said Pinas. “We could use bulldozers to expose the layers so that we can use water cannons to extinguish the fire sources. The excavator is used to cordon off the area so that the fire cannot spread. It will take a week to get the fire in the area under control. KBS reportedly used drones to get a clear picture of the area. “The footage from the drone indicates that there is a swamp near the area where the fire broke out so now we are looking for ways to push the fire towards it”.

Meanwhile the thick smoke has spread to the surrounding areas. The residents from the surrounding areas are complaining about the smoke that originates from the site of which it is not clear if it is an official garbage dump. The garbage dump is located in the middle of a residential area where houses are still being constructed. The residents explained that the smoke which they breathe in every day is hazardous to their health. . “The smoke contains carbon monoxide, a gas that can be absorbed in blood 300 times faster than oxygen,” Pinas said. “We advise residents, especially families with children and senior citizens to stay elsewhere for now.” Pinas explained that the firefighters are doing their job under extremely difficult circumstances. “There is a shortage of equipment, protective clothing and vehicles,” Pinas stated.

The Geyersvlijt Fire Station has been without a fire engine for over a month. It is also a huge challenge for the firefighters to make their way through all of the garbage. “Colleagues are doing their job among sharp objects, snakes and toxic smoke without the right footwear and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.”