Kochi: Several parts of the Kochi city in Kerala are enveloped in smoke likely emanating from a fire at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant. Air quality has been affected in Kadavanthra, Vyttila, Maradu and Ambalamugal with several residents complaining of eye and throat irritations. Mayor Soumini Jain has asked for an inquiry to ascertain if the fires were lit deliberately.
Some protesters posing as locals are suspected to be behind it. A complaint with the police after a previous fire yielded no result. The district collector will be asked to lead the probe now, the mayor added.
Four incidents of fire were reported from the same plant in the last couple of months. Piles of dry garbage are prone to catch fire and all the fire incidents were reportedly from the waste pile. A small spark would trigger a huge fire as the garbage, including plastic waste, is lying under the hot sun.
It is said the latest fire is the most severe.
It has been found fire engines could not reach easily the source of fire amid heaps of garbage. Moreover, machines that are used to prevent the spread of fire through waste could not be brought on time.
The mayor has asked for clarification on these too.
Fire engines were stationed near to the main entrance of the treatment plant and water was pumped 300 meters away with the help of hoses to douse the fire during a fire in January.
Earlier too the residents had alleged that some miscreants had set the waste mounds on fire. They had said that a small fire was found at the middle of a vast expanse of garbage and strong winds fanned the flames to other areas.
Ernakulam collector Mohammed Y Safirulla had visited the spot in January following a fire.
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