Government yesterday issued more advice to families continuing to battle the effects of smoke and ashes from the Pembroke Dump.

Speaking at a press conference, Public Safety Minister David Burch said residents vulnerable to respiratory illness such as asthma should stay away from the dump area.

Sen. Burch said people should be reminded to take their prescribed medication, and anyone whose symptoms continued or became worse should consult their doctor.

Elderly residents, or those with young children, who live near the dump, are urged to consider making alternative living arrangements until the blaze is fully extinguished.

People are advised to plug their gutters to prevent smoke and soot from entering tanks, shut all windows and drink bottled water.

The Ministry of Social Rehabilitation has now set up cots at the CedarBridge Gymnasium as an emergency shelter. Government said that, by yesterday evening, nobody had moved in.

Sen. Burch added: "The Ministry encourages residents to work together and to reach out to their friends and relatives in other areas of the Island before turning to the shelter for assistance."

Anyone with no option who needs a place to stay should call the Police emergency number 911 for help.

King Edward VII Memorial hospital yesterday reported admission rates at its emergency unit had been "nothing unusual".

Victor Scott Primary School, the nearest school to the fire, remained open, although five asthmatic pupils were kept home by their parents yesterday.

Liz Boden, founder of asthma awareness charity Open Airways said few serious problems had been reported. She urged asthma sufferers to keep their inhalers with them at all times.

Meanwhile, people in the Court Street and Dundonald Street area were feeling the effects of the fire yesterday.

Clinton Muhammad was cleaning ash from his car in Court Street when he spoke to .

"The ash has got everywhere ? it was all over the roof of my car," he said.

Anybody living near the dump who has concerns can phone the Works and Engineering department on 297-7842.