Cebu. INQUIRER FILES
CEBU CITY – The garbage collectors in the city of Talisay sought the help of their local government after the dumpsite in Barangay Tapul, where they earned their livelihood, was almost completely engulfed in flames.
Nearby residents also feared for their health and safety since the burnt dumpsite has been emitting methane gas.
READ: Landfills around the world release a lot of methane—study
The fire that occurred in Sitio Napo, Barangay Tapul, in the city of Talisay lasted for over 12 hours, affecting nearly 5 hectares of the dump site in the city.
According to a report from the Talisay City Fire Station, the incident was first reported about 1:50 p.m. of April 15 where it was raised to 1st alarm. It was declared fire out by 6 p.m.
But another fire broke out on the same dump site around 11 p.m., or about five hours later, that lasted early morning of April 16. It was declared fire out by the firefighters around 2 p.m.
According to scavengers living in the area, even though most of the garbage was reduced to ashes, the constant smoldering underneath was the reason why the dump site caught fire again today.
Residents near the dump site claimed that due to the extreme heat, the garbage spontaneously combusted.
However, the Talisay City Fire Station said that they have yet determined the cause of the fire but they were considering the extreme weather conditions as a factor that led to the combustion of the garbage at the dump site.