Probe launched into what caused the fire at the Haddon Disposal Facility in St Ann; NSWMA suspects arson

September 9, 2026

A probe has been launched into what caused the fire at the Haddon Disposal Facility in St Ann.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) suspects it to be a case of arson and has reported the matter to the St Ann police.

The fire which is now under control reportedly started on Monday afternoon.

According to the NSWMA preliminary observations have raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

The Authority says fire was observed at approximately four separate locations within the facility, with notable intervals between the outbreaks.

These circumstances, the Authority said, have led it to suspect that the fire was deliberately set.

The blaze is now extinguished through assistance from the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Executive Director of the NSWMA Audley Gordon says efforts continue to get the smoke under control.

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He says the circumstances observed are highly concerning and raise the possibility of deliberate ignition.

The Authority is awaiting the investigation reports from the fire brigade and the constabulary.

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The NSWMA is also reminding members of the public that disposal facilities are critical components of Jamaica’s waste management infrastructure and that any deliberate act that threatens these facilities can have serious consequences for public health, the environment, workers and surrounding communities.

The Authority is appealing to anyone with information that may assist in determining how the fire started to contact the relevant authorities.