Eastern Creek tip fire: ‘Toxic’ smell prompts health fears
Residents fear fumes from a landfill fire in Eastern Creek may pose a risk to their health as the EPA investigates.
Blacktown
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blacktown. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek incinerator to follow ‘strictest’ environmental rules
- Coronavirus: Blacktown ‘sick shopper’ sparks virus fears
Western Sydney residents say they are being choked by potentially “toxic fumes” from a fire at one of Sydney’s biggest landfill sites.
Fire crews on Tuesday afternoon have extinguished the blaze, which broke out at Bingo Industries’ waste management centre off Kangaroo Ave in Eastern Creek on Saturday afternoon.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the fire began in surrounding grassland before spreading to the rubbish dumping area, however the cause of the blaze is yet to be determined.
Residents in surrounding suburbs, including Minchinbury and Rooty Hill, have voiced their concerns about a “toxic, chemical smell” in the atmosphere, believed to be linked to the blaze.
Fears have been raised about the potential health impacts of the fumes, with residents taking to social media to complain about breathing difficulties and asthma attacks.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said the smell lingering around the area was “alarming”.
“I attended the tip on Saturday night and it definitely wasn’t a bushfire-type smell,” he said.
“People are saying it is an electric-type smell. Whatever it is, it absolutely reeks. It is some type of toxic, plastic smell.”
Another resident said the smell was so strong, she had to keep windows and doors closed to prevent the fumes from entering her home.
Several residents told the Advocate they had lodged complaints with the EPA.
An EPA spokesman said they were investigating the blaze.
“The EPA has been in touch with residents who alerted the EPA to the issue. The level of smoke has now diminished but the EPA is keeping an eye on it,” the spokesman said.
“The EPA will continue to investigate the incident to determine a cause and if necessary, to determine an appropriate regulatory response.”
In a statement, Bingo Industries said investigations into the cause of the fire were ongoing.
“Fire and Rescue NSW left the site (Tuesday) morning and handed the facility back to Bingo,” the spokesman said.
“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Bingo is currently working with the relevant authorities, including the NSW EPA, and will provide further information on the incident as soon as this becomes available.”
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the fire had burnt a large amount of waste material at the base of a quarry, including concrete, timber and waste from skip bins.
He said waste materials on a rubber conveyor belt used to transfer materials from the quarry, has also caught alight.
About 20 fire crews worked until Tuesday morning to douse the blaze, which was extinguished by burying the material with heavy machinery.
