Idukki: Legal action has been initiated against a resident of Nediyasala for falsely alerting the Fire and Rescue Department about a major fire, triggering an unnecessary emergency response. The incident arose from a minor fire lit by a neighbour while burning dry leaves as part of a cleaning drive.

The unit authority said that legal proceedings, including the imposition of a fine, will be pursued through the District Fire Officer. The Fire and Rescue unit received a call around 4.30 pm on Monday reporting a major fire outbreak. Acting on the alert, a team rushed to the location, only to find that the information was false and that a resident had wrongly accused a woman in the neighbourhood of starting the fire.

The false alarm also drew a local panchayat member and several residents to the spot after word spread about the fire force's arrival.