Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Audley Gordon is refuting a statement by the Jamaica Environmental Trust (JET) that the fire in Riverton City, is connected to the disposal site.

Fire broke out sometime after 12 o’clock this morning at a private tyre storage facility, off Spanish Town Road, near to the Riverton City disposal site.

Due to the magnitude of the fire, the Jamaica Defence Force had to provide aerial support, to the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

The fire also forced the temporary evacuation of a number of residents from surrounding communities.

In a tweet this morning, JET said that it is unacceptable that this is still happening in 2018, and that the Riverton disposal site continues to be a public health and environmental disgrace.

JET also raised questioned about the environmental ZOSO for Riverton and surrounding communities.

In response, Mr. Gordon says the comments made by jet are unfortunate, as the NSWMA does not condone illegal burning of tyres at the disposal site.

Mr. Gordon says it is regrettable that a leading environmental organization like JET could make such an unfortunate and misleading statement even after being told that the fire was not at the disposal site.

In addition, Mr. Gordon says he is grateful the nearby Riverton dump was speared by the ravages of the fire.