A deliberately lit fire in a 50,000 tyre dump near Albany poses health risk

25/1/99

Emergency Services Minister and Member for Albany Kevin Prince says that toxic smoke from a deliberately lit fire in a 50,000 tyre dump near Albany had posed a potentially serious health risk.

"Strong winds kept smoke from the fire away from most built up areas, confining discomfort and irritation from it to a small number of homes," Mr Prince said.

"But, if the wind had dropped or changed direction, the young, elderly and people with respiratory complaints would have faced a potentially serious health risk."

Mr Prince said firefighters had told him that such fires could not be effectively fought with water, foam or other means and must be left to burn out. The City of Albany had now covered the tyres with sand to contain the fire.

Fire and emergency services and council staff are doing all they can to deal with the fire which was lit on Saturday but are very concerned at the potential for wide-spread harm.

"I promise those responsible that when they are charged the courts will be asked to deal with them in keeping with the seriousness of the risks and problems they have caused," Mr Prince said.

The dump in Lower King Road had been there for about 30 years. When first used there were no houses in the area but there are now a number of built up areas close by.

Media Contact: John Clune 9213 0500