Kochi: The fire at Brahmapuram waste management plant was doused after 48 hours on Sunday. All fire units in district and 70 firemen from Idukki and Kottayam were pressed into action at the plant.
Parts of piles were removed with earthmovers and water pumped in. Ten high-pressure motors brought from neighbouring districts were installed to pump water onto the waste piles. Many firefighters experienced uneasiness while trying to contain the fire. Smog enveloped the plant and adjacent areas Sunday too. The smog had spread to Irumpanam and Thrippunithura, triggering panic among people.
People in Lakshamveedu Colony, Bhaskaran Colony, Karshaka Colony, Pedikkattu Quarry and Paruparambu Colony in Irumpanam left home for relatives’ places to avoid smog. Many were treated at Thrippunithura Thaluk Hospital for breathing trouble. Lack of timely help from health department agitated the people. The Infopark Police have started investigating the conspiracy angle in the incident.
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.
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