The temporary relief centre at SK Saujana Indah was closed today following an improvement in air quality in the areas surrounding the Ladang Byram estate, based on observations and technical comments from the Penang environment department (DoE).

“The Seberang Perai Selatan disaster operations control centre has also been closed,” the district disaster committee said in a statement.

“The Pulau Burung landfill management concession company and Seberang Perai City Council, however, will continue with the Phase 1 and 2 closing work until it is completed under periodical monitoring by the Penang DoE.”

About 400 residents from 90 families living near the landfill on Jalan Byram had to be evacuated after the area was engulfed by smoke following a fire which broke out on Jan 12.

The relief centre at SK Saujana Indah had housed 44 people from 10 families since Jan 16 while the others moved in with their relatives.

The fire burned through more than 11ha of the landfill site and was finally put out on Feb 1.