Dry season will increase fumes

APART from hot conditions and minimal rain, Chatham residents are fearing and dreading the impending Dry Season for another reason — an increase in noxious sulphur fumes — which emanate from fissures deep in the earth. Yesterday, firemen used over 40,000 litres of water in an effort to douse the source of the fumes — heated lignite — within the cracks in the earth, in an effort to bring relief to the residents. However, while the rainy season and the fire officials’ water have combined to bring some measure of relief to the residents, the original problem remains; noxious fumes. “This problem (the fumes) has been around a long time and it usually gets worse during the onset of the dry season, so we are all bracing ourselves,” a resident, who asked not to be identified, told Newsday yesterday. Firemen arrived yesterday from eight in the morning  and battled the fumes bravely for the entire day. They continued their work even when a sharp, heavy downpour fell in the evening. For the firemen, the rain was a welcome assistant in their efforts.

An excavator loaned by SIS Contractors, including a driver, excavated 20 feet of earth to allow the firemen to get into the fissures with the water hoses. Around 40 firemen, all clad in protective gear, took turns dousing the smoking fissures with over 40,000 litres of water. During the excavation, firemen removed sulphur, porcelainite and lignite from the earth. They worked non-stop even with the overpowering fumes, hiding them as villagers looked on, from a safe distance. On the scene were several fire officials including deputy Chief Fire Officer Clyde Ramroop, assistant Chief Officer Justin Bowen,  Divisional Fire Officer Anthony Alexis, assistant Divisional Fire Officer Winston Woods  and Fire Prevention Officer Curwin Callendar. Sally and Michael Balkaran, who own the 7.5 acres of land on which the fissures are located, told Newsday that despite the best efforts of the firemen, the fumes still emanate. “The neighbours have been really complaining. Since April we noticed what was happening but  we thought it was bush fires,” Michael said. EMA officials who visited the site yesterday, photographed the area as they tried to assess the progress of the firemen. Last week, EMA officials said the fumes were not poisonous and posed no long term health risks to the residents, who had been complaining of nausea and rashes.