News
No backyard burning without permits
BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Sunday Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, June 28, 2009
THE Jamaica Fire Brigade is warning Jamaicans to desist from burning trash or household garbage in their backyards without the relevant fire permits and without taking steps to inform residents in their community.
"The practice is illegal and can land them in prison for up to three months," Emeleo Ebanks, communication officer of the Fire Prevention Headquarters said.
"It is an offence to set fire to any trash between the hours of 6:00 pm and 6:00 am the succeeding day under the Country Fires Act," said Ebanks.
Section 41 of the Act states the following:
Every person who sets fire to any trash on any land, unless the occupier of such lands first (a) serves - on the officer or sub-officer in charge of the nearest police station and the occupiers of all adjoining lands the nearest boundaries of which lie within half a mile of the place where it is intended to set fire to such trash - notice of his intention to set fire to such trash on the dates, not exceeding seven, specified in such notice; and (b) clears an open space of at least fifteen feet in width round such trash and removes from such open space all inflammable material or other matter likely to burn, shall be guilty of an offence.
Ebanks said that many persons who carry out these acts were ignorant of the law.
"Persons need to start educating themselves about the law (as) most of the persons carrying out these acts are ignorant of the law," he remarked.
He said that under Chapter 81 of the act, the offence could attract a fine of up to $2,000 and a prison term of not more than three months.
Meanwhile, Ebanks noted that research carried out by the Fire Prevention Headquarters showed that many of the fires that have occurred islandwide were as a result of the failure of persons to follow proper guidelines.
Other Stories
27 comments
The 'G culture' destroying school, says principal
32 comments
15 comments
NDM, G2K want Davies to resign as PAC chairman, opposition spokesman
25 comments
Two held for murder of Sandra Supersad
11 comments
9 comments
Sandals Resorts voted best Caribbean vacation destination... again
1 comment
Parish council committee raps health dept, NSWMA
1 comment
Club Hotel RIU workers to become unionised
Old method of heart bypass better than 'off-pump'
Cuba cuts back on rationed products
1 comment
RSS Feeds