Blaze and smoke at landfill mired in scandal

Santo Domingo.- The Duquesa landfill is again news, this time for the several blazes in ​​the western part since last week whose smoke have reached a part of Greater Santo Domingo, while its management promises to suffocate in the next few hours.

Heavy equipment and firefighters are at the scene removing debris to put out the fire using soil and sand. As noon Mon., the flames were spreading through the trash, as crews struggle with a difficult access.

Environment Ministry Duquesa Landfill official Francisco Flores Chang said the cause of the fire is unknown, but an investigation was launched.

Quoted by Diario Libre, Flores said there have been several small fires, but yesterday’s was the most widespread. He said they work to control it as of 1pm yesterday.

Corruption

The landfill is at the center of an investigation over alleged graft which led to the expulsion of the management contractor Lajun Corporation, in connection with the fraudulent sale of land within and adjacent to the facility.