Reignited Linden sawmill fire contained, sparks health and safety concerns

A fire that reignited at sawmills in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, continues to burn in a valley area but has been contained, the Mayor of Linden, Dominique Blair, said on Friday.

Blair said firefighters remain on the scene, soaking the edges of the affected area to prevent further spread. The Region 10 Regional Democratic Council and the Region 10 Disaster Preparedness Team are assisting residents in need of temporary shelter or relocation. Residents requiring support were asked to contact 505-0127.

The fire reignited late Thursday, months after a similar blaze in April 2025 severely affected the community. Sharma Solomon, Member of Parliament for Region 10, described the recurrence as “completely unacceptable” and warned it poses serious health and environmental risks, particularly for children and the elderly.

Solomon said nearly 2,000 residents were affected by the previous fire and called for stricter enforcement of environmental and safety regulations. He noted that sawmill operators and the Environmental Protection Agency had met in October 2025 to establish preventive measures.