Sept. 28, 2006 — The Anguilla landfill is closed until further notice pending an investigation into an arson fire that occurred late Wednesday evening causing a reported $400,000 in damage to equipment.
According to a press release issued by the V.I.Waste Management Authority, "heavy equipment belonging to contracted landfill manager, A-9 Trucking Enterprises, was on fire." The release also noted that the blaze completely destroyed three large dump trucks, while partially destroying one track loader.
V.I. Fire Services was able to contain the blaze and made a preliminary assessment that the fire was deliberately set. "We have ruled the case arson," said Fire Inspector Martinez. V.I. Police will now aid fire personnel in the arson investigation.
For the second time this month, the authority has been a victim of foul play. On Sept. 12, WMA reported damage to two small waste vehicles on St. Thomas.
At that time, WMA Executive Director May Adams Cornwall stated "willful damage to the authority's vehicles not only negatively impacts our quality of service to residents, but it causes unnecessary spending of taxpayer monies."
According to the WMA release, actions such as this "affect the entire community." VIWMA asked residents and haulers to refrain from attempting to dump "household waste, scrap metal, debris or any other waste to the landfill until further notice."
The authority encouraged anyone with information about either incident to contact VIPD at 778-2211 or Fire Services at 773-8050.
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