Eleven fire tenders have been deployed at the site, with around 300 firefighters working in shifts to contain the blaze at the sprawling dump yard spread over 654 acres.

District Fire Officer K Ganesan said additional fire tenders from Tirupur, Erode and Dindigul districts were expected to join the firefighting operation.

“Fire has spread across nearly seven acres. Around 300 firefighters are engaged in the operation on a rotational basis. Additional fire tenders from neighbouring districts are also expected to join the efforts. We expect to bring the fire under control within two days,” he said.

The incident has renewed concerns over fire prevention and waste management at the Vellalore facility, where large quantities of waste have accumulated over the years.

V Easwaran, president and coordinator of the Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam, said the civic body had not fully complied with directions issued by the National Green Tribunal concerning the management of the Vellalore dump yard.

“Waste continues to be transported to the facility without adequate source segregation. More effective measures must be taken to process and dispose of the accumulated waste. The corporation should also expedite the biomining project for processing legacy waste,” he said.

KS Mohan, secretary of the Kurichi-Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee, called for stronger preventive measures to minimise the risk of fires at the dump yard.

He urged the civic body to install sprinkler systems capable of periodically spraying water over the accumulated waste.

“The thick smoke from the fire has affected surrounding areas, including Mahalingapuram, Konavaikkalpalayam and Vellalore. Residents are already facing problems due to the foul odour from the dump yard. There are also concerns over groundwater pollution, with the water in the area reportedly changing colour,” he said.