Approximately 100 families are expected to be relocated after a fire broke out at a former dumpsite in Barangay Balatas, Naga City.

The fire spread quickly due to the intense heat and presence of dry foliage.

“Alang na alang na talaga si mga [duot] digdi, duminakula siyang arog kaini ta si duros iyong gayo si kumbaga naghuhuyop kaini, iyo an nagpadakula,” SFO1 Arwin Yap of the Naga City Central Fire Station, said.

Controlling the fire was a challenge to firefighters especially when it burned deeper into the piles of trash. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) initially declared the fire under control at around 10 p.m. but it reignited early the following morning.

Authorities said there may be potential health risks posed by the toxic smoke, particularly from burning plastics, which can spread over a wide area and affect neighboring communities.

“Although closed facility na po siya, pag nasunog po siya, ang unang nagliliyab po sakanya [ay] yung ilalim [na] puro plastic po yun. Yung usok niya na pumapasok halos hanggang Concepcion Grande, yun po ang pinaka delikado sa ngayon,” Engr. Joel Martin, Head of the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO), said.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) wants to move residents away from the former dumpsite. 

“It’s high time siguro na maanap ning paagi an ciudad kung sain sinda pwede mai-relocate. Actually yaon man ang opisina [mi] sa pagtabang,” Annabel Vargas, Head of Naga CSWDO, said.

“Ang samuyang nagiging role sa mga arog kaiyan na insidente sa panahon na pwede na sindang halion [o ililipat] duman kung sain na lugar, so kami nagtatao kami ning pagkakan habang ang sarong familia nagbibilog ning harong ninda,” Vargas added.