A fire which broke out in a Kuwaiti tire dump last week could be seen from space
Kuwait hardly has a green reputation (in fact, it’s been pretty obstructive in global efforts to set emission targets) but recent events have definitely undermined what left of its eco credentials. As well as shocking stories of animal cruelty, there are rising concerns of childhood obesity and a growing carbon footprint. A fire also broke out last week in a tire dump which was so big that it could be seen from space.
The fire broke out on April 17 at a tire dump near Al Jahrah in Kuwait. It is believed that around 5 million tires fuelled the fire which specialists struggled to control. Hundreds of firefighters as well as soldiers and employees of the Kuwait Oil Company took part in the efforts to extinguish the blaze.
According to Grist, a fire that size will have huge environmental impacts. “It won’t just pollute the air with hazardous materials – it will create a small oil spill as well. Burning just one passenger car tire can produce two gallons of oil, according to EPA, and 5 million tires could spill about 275,000 gallons of oil on the ground.”
An investigation has been launched into how the fire started. There have been some whispers that the fire may have been started deliberately by scrap metal hawkers looking to recover the leftover metals. Indeed the current investigation has revealed that an electricity generator which powers the dump was damaged one day before the fire.
The finger printing machine also failed to work and so the employees’ movements couldn’t be tracked. The investigation is ongoing and the final outcome will be announced in a couple of days. As well as an official investigation, there have been calls for stricter legislation to avoid a similar disaster.
: Top image via NASA by Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott. Kuwait Tire Fire by Mohammed ALSULTAN
More green stories from Kuwait:
New Green Roofed School in Kuwait Will Promote Hands on Agricultural Learning
Gentle Kuwaiti Marine Activist (VIDEO)
Crazy Kuwaitis Use Shotguns to Kill 12 Flamingos
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
