For the second time in a year, the massive Duquesa refuse dump has caught fire, causing enormous clouds of smoke which, according to the Hoy and Listin Diario newspapers, have increased the incidence of respiratory problems in children and infants in many parts of the northwest of the capital. City councilmen Miguel Sanz, Andres Henriquez and Andres Ayala claim that the fire began in the middle of February, yet it only became news last weekend when the fumes were felt in residential areas. Vehicles and personnel from the Santo Domingo Fire Brigade, the Santo Domingo City Council, the Ministry of Public Works and the refuse collection contractor Attwoods Dominicana, have been working to extinguish the fire, which is being fueled by the inflammable gases produced by the tons of rubbish in the dump.
The Secretary General of the Liga Municipal Dominicana (LMD), Julio Marinez, has asked President Balaguer to order the closing of the dump, which in addition to catching fire, “pollutes water sources and is a breeding ground for rodents.” Mr. Marinez suggests the assigning of another piece of land as a dump for the refuse collected by Attwoods, and the starting of a process to clean up La Duquesa so that it no longer presents a threat to the health of citizens living in the surrounding areas.
15-21 March 1996