Cancún landfill fire sparks thick smoke, alarms residents

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A massive fire broke out Sunday afternoon at the site of the former municipal landfill in Cancún, consuming one hectare of accumulated waste and vegetation. Authorities suspect the blaze may have been triggered by the “lens effect,” where sunlight refracting through discarded glass ignited the debris.

Thick Smoke Spreads for Kilometers

A dense black cloud of smoke stretched for several kilometers, alarming residents in nearby areas, including the Region 241 and the mainland portion of Isla Mujeres. Locals initially dismissed the smell of burning as routine trash fires set by squatters who have occupied the area. However, the situation escalated as towering plumes of smoke became visible.

The Heroic Fire Department of Cancún and Isla Mujeres, alongside Civil Protection units, responded to the emergency. Although the flames were brought under control hours later, crews remained on-site into the night to fully extinguish the fire and cool the area to prevent reignition.

Previous Incidents Highlight Ongoing Risks

This incident follows another major fire earlier in the week, where Cancún firefighters spent approximately eight hours battling a blaze that scorched an area measuring 100 by 30 meters.

No official cause has been confirmed, but preliminary reports suggest accumulated waste, including glass fragments, may have acted as a magnifying glass under intense sunlight, sparking the flames.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as cleanup and cooling efforts persist.