Landfill fire in Rodriguez evacuates 112, smoke lingers

A fire broke out in a landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal on Sunday at 1 p.m., with smoke reaching Quezon City on Monday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) extinguished the fire after more than 24 hours but smoke remains present.

Eighty-seven individuals from 24 families have been evacuated to an emergency center due to the smoke, while nine families or 25 individuals remain in evacuation centers as of Tuesday morning.

Fire Senior Inspector Rene Boy Bacay explained that fires in landfills are challenging because of methane gas produced by decaying waste and there is still a risk of rekindling flames.

The local government unit spoke with the private company owning the landfill, determining the fire began from an outside grass fire affecting garbage in the upper part of the landfill.

Quezon City advised residents to wear face masks due to unhealthy air quality in some areas, while the air quality has improved in most parts of the city but remains very unhealthy in Payatas, San Isidro, and Cubao.