NIBONG TEBAL: The relief centre at SK Saujana Indah, which was opened to accommodate residents of Ladang Byram following the recent fire at the Pulau Burung landfill, has been closed with all affected residents having returned home.

       The Seberang Perai Selatan district disaster committee said in a statement yesterday that based on the latest observation and technical comments from the Penang Department of Environment (DOE), the air quality in areas surrounding the Ladang Byram Estate area had improved.

       “Besides that, the operation of the district disaster operations control centre has also been terminated.

       “However, the Pulau Burung landfill management concession company and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will continue with the Phase 1 and 2 closing work until completed under periodical monitoring by the Penang DOE,” the statement added.

       According to Bernama, about 400 residents from 90 families living near the landfill, which is located in Jalan Byram, had to be evacuated to a safe location as the airspace in their residential area was filled with toxic smoke.

       A total of 44 people from 10 families from Ladang Byram were accommodated at the relief centre since Jan 16, while the rest of the residents moved in temporarily with family members.