Fire at Brahmapuram waste plant; concerns ease in Kochi, smog in city reduces

KOCHI: The fire at the Brahmapuram Garbage Plant, which could not be extinguished despite three days of efforts, may come under control by today. Brahmapuram, Kakkanad, Tripunithura, and West Kochi areas have seen a slight reduction in the smoke that spread like fog during the day and night. There were concerns that the fire would cause serious health problems. Following this, the District Collector warned people not to leave their homes. People have also been asked to avoid morning walks.

District Collector Dr. Renuraj also ordered that no businesses in the city should open. All hospitals in Ernakulam city and nearby areas have also been directed to keep adequate oxygen reserves. 20 people, including the district fire officer, sought treatment after inhaling the toxic fumes from burning plastic while fighting the fire. Some coughed up blood.

Air force helicopters tried to spray water yesterday, but the helicopters returned after heavy smoke prevented them. Seven firefighting units have been pumping water into the plastic mounds since Thursday evening. Although the fire has subsided, the smoke is spreading strongly. Fire force units of Cochin Port Trust and CIAL will be deployed today.

Sabotage?

The main reason for the suspicion of sabotage is that many parts of the waste mountains spread over fifty acres caught fire at the same time. There is a presumption that there are ulterior motives associated with the contracts. Fires at the plant have continued for ten years in the summer. In a high-level meeting held at the Collectorate yesterday, Chief Secretary VP Joy instructed Kochi City Police Commissioner K Sethuraman to investigate and submit a report.