Investigations have revealed that the recent fire at the Vunato rubbish dump site in Lautoka was deliberately ignited by individuals attempting to illegally access the area for scrap metal collection. Taitusi Rasoki, chairperson of the Lautoka City Council’s special administrators, provided an update on the situation, confirming that security personnel had identified two suspects near the site shortly before the flames erupted. The council has since been coordinating with local security and the Fiji Police to address the incident.
Mr. Rasoki emphasized that accusations suggesting the council was responsible for starting the fire are false, declaring that the council would never engage in such unlawful activities. He noted that the council made concerted efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining sections of the landfill. Unfortunately, similar incidents have occurred in the past, often attributed to scrap collectors who resort to setting fires to access metals within the refuse piles.
Mr. Rasoki condemned these reckless actions, calling them unacceptable. He noted that while smaller fires had occurred in recent months, the current blaze is the most significant the landfill has experienced in years. Despite maintaining 24-hour security at the site, monitoring the expansive 45-acre landfill at night poses considerable challenges.
Efforts to control the fire have faced difficulties, particularly due to environmental conditions and the complex structure of the underground rubbish layers. A misunderstanding during the initial response led to delays in addressing the fire, contributing to its expansion. The Ministry of Environment is actively involved, closely monitoring the ongoing situation.
While the council has been able to extinguish one area of the fire, smoke continues to emerge from two others. However, Mr. Rasoki assured that the active fire is now under control, with no imminent threat of further spread. Controlling landfill fires is inherently more challenging than fighting bush or property fires due to the nature of the waste.
The ongoing challenges at the Vunato dump underscore the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices in Lautoka and across Fiji. The council is engaged in broader discussions about innovative solutions for waste disposal, including the potential for new landfill sites and enhanced recycling initiatives to reduce the overall quantity of waste generated. Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Local Government aim to implement strategies that will mitigate environmental risks and safeguard community health, providing a hopeful outlook for the region’s waste management future.
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