Baling: An illegal dumpsite in Kampung Besah, Mukim Tawar, near here, has been ablaze since yesterday. Kedah Department of Environment director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the department had dispatched a team to the site.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sharifah Zakiah mentioned that last night's inspection found that the fire was still burning. The heaps of waste, including plastic, at the site are believed to have been dumped by irresponsible parties. The investigation is ongoing under Section 29A(2) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Those with information on the incident can contact Kedah DOE at 04-733 2832 or the Kulim branch of Kedah DOE at 04-403 7675.

She added that the dumpsite covers an estimated area of 0.5 hectares, with waste piled to a height of approximately 9.1 metres. The exact time when the fire started remains unknown as no report was filed. The site is situated beside a road and along a river. Verification of the land ownership status is underway. Official sampling has also been carried out, and all samples have been sent to the Penang Chemistry Department for analysis.