KOCHI: A fire broke out at the waste plant here in Brahmapuram. Fireforce officials said the blaze spread to about seven piles of waste. The fire started at 12 noon today. Twelve fire brigade units in and around Kochi have reached the spot and are trying to put out the fire.

Attempts are being made to extinguish the fire with a firefighting unit and a high-pressure pump. District Fire Force Officer AS Joji said that attempts are being made to separate the waste using a JCB. Brahmapuram is a region that experiences strong winds. Wind gusts are causing small explosions and the fire to spread in the waste.