The US Environmental Protection Agency has advised the residents of Doral, Florida, to “shelter in place” after a massive fire broke out at a renewable energy plant. Authorities said the firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze but they “anticipate an increase in smoky condition.” Doral is a city in Miami-Dade County and is located about 5 miles west of Miami International Airport.
The district has a population of around 50,000 people who are mainly employed in small commercial and importer businesses which are in plenty in the town. As the Miami International Airport is located nearby, some of the residents are working at the airport.
Parks and schools were closing and residents near the Miami-Dade County waste-to-energy facility in Doral were urged to stay indoors. A report from the Environmental Protection Agency showed the air quality in the area at unhealthy levels earlier this week.
According to a statement posted Friday to the county’s waste fire website, Miami-Dade officials requested all residents residing between Northwest 74th Street and Northwest 92nd Street, and Northwest 92nd Avenue to Northwest 112th Avenue, to remain indoors throughout the day.
“Anyone with preexisting respiratory and cardiac conditions, as well as older adults, young children, and expectant mothers, should take extra precautions, such as wearing a mask if you need to be outdoors,” the county’s statement read. Authorities said that as firefighters gain further access to the center of the fire, they expected a surge in smoky conditions.
At a press conference, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said they temporarily suspended operations Friday morning for the demolition of a wall, which led to a rise in the smoky conditions.
Also Read | Is Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport closed? List of flights delayed after ground stop placed
Doral Glades Park and Doral Legacy Park are closed until further notice, officials said. All outdoor programming and events at all other parks will be rescheduled to a later date.
