Toxic smoke chokes Lautoka, families fall ill as dump fire spreads

The people of Lautoka are worried over the health and environmental effects caused by smoke emitting from the Vunato Rubbish Dump in Lautoka City.

With dry spell and series of structural and sugarcane field fires in the Western Division in past weeks, smoke from the rubbish dump fire had spread over the city and surrounding areas the past few days. Residents are worried that people could get sick from the emission.

Lovu HART community assistant welfare officer Ela Ucunivanua claimed some of their residents, especially the elderly are showing signs of illness. “Residents at Lovu HART community are severely affected, with some having to consult doctors because they are suffering from suffocation and shortness of breath,’’ Ms Ucunivanua said.

“The elderly and single mothers with children are also suffering from viral flu, dizziness because of the smoke from the rubbish dump fire.”

She said some children could not attend school because they are sick. “My daughter, who is a resort worker in the Mamanuca Islands came for a break on Monday but had to be rushed to the hospital on Monday night as the fumes triggered her asthma,’’ Ms Ucunivanua said.

She claimed most of the people in the Lovu community could not afford going to the hospital every now and then.

Residents of Lovu in Lautoka affected by the toxic fumes from the rubbish dump fire.

Photo: Zalika Ali

Jone Vale, 63, had to relocate with his family with other elderly members because of the fire.

“We relocated yesterday (Tuesday) as a couple of them vomited and started coughing due to smoke emitted from burnt plastic in the dump,’’ he said.

He said the smoke was thick on Diwali day and they had to immediately leave their home. “We tried to stay at home, but the smoke was thick and unbearable.”

He relocated his family which included four elderly and four school children. Another resident Melenaite Nahalo said the toxic fumes affected a lot of people.

“The Lautoka City Council (LCC) did not conduct health inspection in this area,’’ Ms Nahalo said. She urged Government to relocate them for a while as they are falling sick and the children are not attending school.

LCC board chairperson special administrator Taitusi Rasoki said the council was concerned about the health of the people.

“The people have been visited by the council as their locality is near the rubbish dump,” he said.

Mr Rasoki said he would direct a health services team to visit people affected by the smoke.

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