CHENNAI: A lorry that was illegally dumping chemical and other waste on the roadside around midnight on Tuesday caught fire near Thiruneermalai service road in Tambaram.

The private industrial units from Pammal, Nagalkeni, and surrounding areas often dump chemical waste and garbage along the service road using the cover of darkness, alleged residents, adding that they also set the waste on fire, which results in thick, noxious smoke affecting the residents nearby.

On Tuesday midnight, as the garbage was burning on the roadside, a lorry came there to unload waste near a burning pile. Soon, the flames spread to its diesel tank, triggering a fire which was intensified by strong winds. On information, the Tambaram fire and rescue services rushed to the spot and battled the fire for more than three hours before bringing it under control. However, the vehicle was gutted by then.

According to the public, they have lodged several complaints against the illegal dumping of waste to the Tambaram Corporation, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and the local police, but the officials have failed to take action.