Fire breaks out at Dededo recycling center

by Nick Delgado

Guam - A large fire that sent a plume of smoke across Dededo on Monday afternoon is now 90% percent contained. It sparked after several items caught fire at a local recycling center. Guam Fire Department officials are now looking into what caused the blaze.   

It caught the attention of residents from miles away - a dark cloud of smoke emitting from Global Recycling Center in Dededo. "It's a hot day and anything like this we don't know what's going to happen be expecting the unexpected," said Andrew Benavente, vice mayor of the northern village. A large fire reported just before 1 o'clock kept Guam Fire and Andersen AFB Firefighters busy this afternoon. Benavente was one of the first to arrive to the scene.

"I was down at the getting picking up supplies from the office on the way up I saw a dark smoke and then people stopping me on the road saying, 'Vice, you need to check what's happening at the Batulo area,'" he recalled.

Mayor Melissa Savares says Guam EPA and USEPA officials were actually inspecting the Dededo property just moments before they notice the flames. "Everybody was concerned even the people inspecting the area they were just as surprised when the fire did break out because they were still on the property," she said.

GFD spokesperson Lt. Ed Artero says a large area caught fire, telling KUAM News, "Approximately a 100-x-100 area with white goods, some tires and vehicles in there." Firefighters for several hours worked to extinguish the blaze using a fire hose and shuttling water in from water tanker trucks supplied by Andersen Fire Department and GWA. Guam Homeland Security duty officers also responded providing resources including masks for those working in the area.

While fire officials continue to investigate the cause of today's fire, the Guam EPA is also monitoring the air quality making sure its safe for the surrounding residents.

Just after five o'clock this afternoon, GFD reported 90% of the fire was contained, and officials are still actively investigating the cause. Guam EPA reports excavators are being use to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. Residents in the areas affected by the smoke from the fire are encouraged to stay indoors until it's completely extinguished.