Garbage stored in premises of Attipra Zonal Office catches fire with violent explosion; tons of plastic waste completely burnt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A massive fire broke out in a garbage storage facility in the Attipra Zonal Office premises of the Municipal Corporation. The incident was first witnessed at 3.30 am yesterday by a Technopark employee who was staying in a rented house nearby. The fire was noticed when he returned from his night shift and went to his room.

The fire was noticed on the top floor of the building where tons of plastic waste was stored. He immediately informed the Kazhakoottam Fire Force. Meanwhile, the fire broke out with a violent explosion that shook the area. The sleeping residents, including women and children, ran out of their houses after hearing the explosion. Meanwhile, the entire area was covered in black smoke, and no one could see each other. Several fire units from Kazhakoottam and Chakka fire stations reached the spot. The fire was brought under control after hours of hard work by about six fire units. Tons of plastic waste stored in the building were completely burnt. The fire was completely extinguished by 10 am.

The fire was caused by plastic waste and solid waste collected by the Haritha Karmasena members of the Municipal Corporation from four wards in the Attipra zonal limits. The waste is usually loaded in lorries once a month. It stopped since it was Onam and the waste was piling up with this. The locals unanimously say that they will not allow a waste collection centre to be reestablished here in the wake of the irresponsible handling of plastic waste and the fire.

Sabotage attempt?

Officials said that there is a mystery surrounding the fire and that sabotage is suspected as there is no possibility of a short circuit on the second floor, and that they will ask for a detailed investigation into the incident.

Will approach court

45 years ago, when Attipra was a panchayat, the Chinna-Madhavan couple had given away 52 cents of land free of cost for a public market. This property was divided among their children Kesavan, Ramakrishnan, Thankamma and Kunju Lakshmi. The family members stated that only a public market should function here under the control of the government, otherwise they will approach the court.