A significant fire has erupted at a landfill in Navotas, with satellite data from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirming the blaze has scorched at least 28.6 hectares of the site.
The fire, which began at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill, has prompted a large-scale emergency response. Firefighters and local authorities are currently battling the flames, working to contain the spread and mitigate risks to nearby communities.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, initial reports suggest it may be linked to the spontaneous combustion of methane gas, a common byproduct of decomposing waste in such facilities. The scale of the fire, covering an area equivalent to approximately 40 football fields, has raised serious environmental and public health concerns.
Local officials have advised residents in surrounding areas to keep windows closed and limit outdoor activities due to potentially hazardous smoke and airborne particulates. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in waste management and the risks associated with large-scale landfill operations in urban areas.