Fire in Coimbatore dumpyard rages for second day

Despite more than 50 fire service personnel fighting hard with water tenders drawn from six ranges of the district, the blaze could not be put out since Saturday. About 18 lakh tonnes of garbage has been dumped in the yard from the entire Coimbatore Corporation. 

“The fire will be brought under control by Monday afternoon. As the top layer of the garbage surrounding the burning spot has become wet, fire could be contained from spreading,” said an official of the fire department.

Meanwhile, Corporation officials have planned to hold an inquiry on whether the yard was set on fire by miscreants. As a cloud of heavy smoke emanating from the garbage dump hung over the neighbourhood, anguished local residents have vacated their houses for a temporary stay with their relatives. 

“The fire has been spreading beneath the top surface of garbage dump. Hence spraying water on top wouldn’t serve any purpose. The civic body should fix surveillance cameras to nab miscreants who set fire to the garbage,” said R Karthik, a resident. 

The Kinathukadavu MLA visited the spot and asked officials to expedite efforts to douse the fire.