KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chairman of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Dennis Chung this afternoon reported that the fire at the Riverton disposal site off Spanish Town Road is expected to be fully extinguished later this evening.

He was updating journalists at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister a short while ago.

Chang, who earlier told OBSERVER ONLINE that “As of 6:15 this morning we got it (the fire) about 80 to 90 per cent covered”, this afternoon informed that the fire was only about 70 per cent extinguished, noting difficulties posed by the wind, which he said is blowing from the south east at 27 knots.

The chairman also estimated that the blaze should be put out by 6:00 or 7:00 this evening, while the smoke is expected to linger into tomorrow, affecting mostly Red Hills, Plantation Heights and other areas close to the fire.

The fire department was reportedly summoned to the dump about 2:50 pm yesterday and, on arrival at 3:00 pm, noted that about two to three acres of the disposal facility was ablaze.

The NSWMA has since launched a probe into the suspected act of arson.