Playa del Carmen, QR – The Solidaridad fire department still needs a few days to completely extinguish a construction debris fire that has been raging for almost a week.

Firefighters and employees of real estate developer CADU continue their efforts to fight the large garbage fire. Due to ongoing problems with the site, the construction project has been shut down by the city.

Last week, residents of nearby Villas del Sol suffered from heavy, toxic smoke pollution from illegal fires. The real estate company set fire to the large pile of construction debris last week, which was closed by city authorities the next day, but the pile is still burning.

A Cadu executive, identified only as Gerardo “N,” said the pile of materials was already on the property when they acquired it and the fire broke out on its own due to a magnification effect.

Playa del Carmen firefighters have been on the scene for days trying to extinguish the smoky fire that continues to pollute the air in the southwest of the municipality. Water from local wells is being used to permanently extinguish the stubborn fire that has been raging since August 3.

Judith Matos, government director of Municipal Solidaridad, confirmed new closure seals and said that a fine would be imposed because the company violated the first closure seals.

According to Matos, after meeting with him, the company’s legal representative agreed to cover the treatment costs of people who suffered from respiratory diseases as a result of the smoke.

She also said that the city administration is preparing a corresponding fine, which is likely to be very high considering the damage caused to the residents.