A fire that has been burning for 4-5 days in Newtownards at South Street has filled the air with smoke annoying local residents and politicians alike.
Jim Shannon, candidate for Strangford in the Westminster election has called for quick action from Ards and North Down council to stop the smouldering fires at South Street. It would appear that the fire has been burning since Thursday and the complaints that I have had are numerous.
“The toxic fumes coming from the fire has meant that people with respiratory problems have had to keep their windows closed, and people with COPD and young children with health issues have also had to take steps to prevent a worsening of their illness.
“Local offices, shops and churches have had to close their windows in the heat and even so, the acrid smell still permeates the buildings. It is quite unbelievable that a fire could burn for 5 days but when I contacted the NIFRS I was informed that they had been attending the fire for two hours to dampen the flames on Sunday and advised that contact must be made with Ards and North Down Borough Council environmental health which was done first thing on Monday.
“The direct input of Ards and North Down Borough Council environmental health department is critical to stopping the fumes from impacting further on people’s quality of life and to ensure that their breathing is not affected.
“Whoever started this fire has a lot to answer for – people’s health and welfare has been effected and quite clearly that should never have happened,” explained Jim Shannon.
Alliance Westminster candidate for Strangford, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has raised concern after fires on the waste ground near the old Ards Football ground at Castlebawn had been burning for four days.
Kellie Armstrong MLA, the Alliance Westminster candidate for Strangford, said: “The fire started last Friday and has engulfed most of the south side of Newtownards.
“Over the weekend, I was made aware of some older people having to move out of their homes to stay with family because they could no longer stick the smell and amount of smoke. Several businesses also reported a drop in trade because of the amount of smoke around Conway Square.
“I have contacted the Council’s Environmental Health team to raise this serious issue.
“The PSNI reported on their Facebook page that the fire was burning waste material and on Monday 22 May the NIFRS dowsed the main fire with foam.
“My concern is, that if this was a private individual burning rubbish in their own garden, annoying neighbours, the Council would rightly be in contact. This fire on the outskirts of town was apparently not deemed dangerous and therefore allowed to burn for days.
“I disagree with the position being taken with the statutory agencies on this serious matter. We have many local residents living with asthma, COPD and other elderly and ill people who are housebound – who have had to live with this thick smoke for days. I call upon the statutory agencies to work with the land owner to stop this from recurring and to ensure appropriate waste management processes are in place.”
