Fire guts section of Thiruvananthapuram waste plant
Fire at Attipra plant; thick smoke alarms residents.
A significant fire erupted at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation's waste treatment facility in Attipra early Thursday, damaging parts of the plant and raising concerns over waste management safety in urban areas. Originating from an area stocked with plastic waste, the incident highlights the risks of improper storage and the need for enhanced fire prevention measures in India's growing waste infrastructure. As smoke lingered, it caused distress among locals, underscoring the broader environmental and health implications of such events amid increasing urban waste volumes.
Fire and Rescue Services were alerted before 4 am and swiftly deployed multiple fire tenders from various city stations. It took over three hours to fully extinguish the flames, with a temporary structure for plastic storage being completely destroyed. Thick smoke persisted into the morning, prompting nearby residents to panic and raising air quality concerns.
Key details of the incident:
- Origin and Damage: The fire started in the plastic waste accumulation zone, leading to partial destruction of the facility.
- Response Efforts: Fire personnel worked extensively to contain the blaze and have since begun relocating remaining waste to safer areas to prevent re-ignition.
- Casualties and Impact: No injuries were reported, but the event disrupted operations and caused community unease due to ongoing smoke.
- Investigation: The exact cause remains undetermined, with officials likely to probe factors like spontaneous combustion or electrical faults.
This incident serves as a reminder for municipal bodies to prioritize fire-resistant designs and regular audits in waste plants, especially with plastic waste on the rise. It could prompt reviews of safety protocols across Kerala, aligning with national efforts for sustainable waste management.
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