By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FIREFIGHTERS are battling a massive bush fire that has been burning for two days in western New Providence.

Fire Chief Superintendent Walter Evans said, at this time, the fire poses no immediate threat to nearby homes in the Lyford Cay area and surrounding communities.

However, Mr Evans said because the fire is a few hundred feet into the bushes, there is no path for firefighters to get to the blaze.

He is asking residents in the area to be patient, as his team attempts to "make a road" in order to extinguish the blaze.

"The fire is still burning and it has gotten pretty big but it is still not threat to homes," Supt Evans said. "Right now the only threat is the smoke but at this time we have no access to the fire. It's burning several hundred feet into the bushes. We have gotten the assistance of some heavy duty machines so we can get road access and then we will be able to tackle the blaze from there."

Residents of Lyford Cay and nearby communities reported on Wednesday evening that the air was thick with drifting smoke from the fire, which appeared to be emanating from somewhere behind the Old Fort Bay shopping centre.