Tiruchy dump yard emitting smoke for 4 days

The fire at Ariyamangalam dump yard in the district, despite having been brought under control after a near four-day struggle, however posed a health threat not to people residing nearby who were already put to inconvenience, but to the fire and rescue services personnel who were forced to inhale the toxic smoke while combating the raging flames. A medical camp was then organised by the civic body to treat them.

With the compost yard section at the Ariyamangalam dump witnessing a large quantity of the nearly 450-tonne garbage pile, it is known to pose an everyday health threat to people residing in the vicinity due to the smoke and stench.

However, on July 8, a sudden fire broke out in the yard around 10 am, causing a thick blanket of smoke spread across the area. Vehicle users passing by as well as those people residing close to the yard complained of health issues, including irritation and itching.

Meanwhile, the fire and rescue services personnel who rushed in two fire-fighting vehicles attempted to douse the fire on the same day, but were unable to. Subsequently, fire and rescue services personnel from Karur and Perambalur districts were also pressed into action with the Tiruchy team for a round-the-clock operation from Wednesday, upon which the fire was able to be controlled in the late hours.

On Thursday, with the fire and rescue services personnel who were on duty at Ariyamangalam experiencing irritation and itching as the garbage contained various irritants, the civic body in the district organised a medical camp for the personnel.

Around 50 among the personnel who suffered irritation in the eye were then given treatment.

“Since the garbage heap was over 70 feet, we had to fight for several hours. Most of the personnel were given vaccination and so, we may continue with the task of dousing the fire. We plan to complete work by Friday”, an official from the Fire and Rescue Services department said.

The fire at Ariyamangalam yard is the fifth incident in the past six months when fire fighters set out to douse ravaging flames, according to sources.