Fire at San Ignacio Transfer Station Brought Under Control After Day-Long Blaze

A major fire that erupted near the San Ignacio Transfer Station on Monday morning burnt for over a day. It threatened key infrastructure and prompted a large-scale emergency response.

Officials from the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) have since confirmed that the fire is now under control and is expected to be fully extinguished by tonight.

The fire, which began in nearby brush around mid-morning on April 21, is believed to have been deliberately set. A person was reportedly seen in the area just minutes before the blaze ignited. Carried by strong winds, embers quickly spread into the transfer station compound, setting waste ablaze and endangering nearby buildings.

Security on site promptly alerted Station Supervisor Oleny Suntecum, triggering a rapid response by the San Ignacio Fire Department. Despite initial challenges due to persistent winds, coordinated efforts by the National Fire Service, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), Belize Roadway Construction, the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council, and the Benque Viejo Town Council helped bring the fire under control.

Rojelio Pop, BSWaMA’s Operations Manager, reported that the priority shifted from containing the flames to protecting the facility’s buildings. “We created a buffer zone 15 to 20 feet away from the buildings to prevent damage,” Pop said. “With support from MIDH and private water suppliers, we managed continuous firefighting efforts using three fire trucks.”

The fire also raised serious concerns about public safety and the dangers of unauthorised outdoor burning.

While there are no nearby residential communities and the smoke is drifting towards the hills, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management is urging the public to avoid setting fires near waste facilities, homes, or vegetated areas and to report any suspicious activity.