Outbreak of ire at dumping grounds where logs of trees damaged by the cyclone were kept in the city continues to trouble authorities. On Tuesday, there was fire at three of the dumping grounds.
The fire occurred at the dumping ground inside King George Hospital, Kapparada hill and Peda Waltair.
While two fire engines were sent to Peda Waltair, one each was sent to KGH and Kapparada, initially. However, as the KGH one turned out to be big and as the dumping yard was located close to the children’s ward, the fire department sent three more engines to put out the fire. According to Assistant District Fire Officer Ch. Krupavaram, the fire started in the afternoon at all the three places and took about five hours to bring them under control. Ever since, the fallen trees were cleared and dumped at about 87 dumping grounds at select areas around the city, the incidents of fire have been on the rise. “The wood is dry and even a cigarette butt can trigger a fire,” said the ADFO.
Apart from the dumping grounds, fire has occurred on the hill slopes, where fallen trees are yet to be cleared. “We have had over 30 such incidents in the last two months. Luckily, there was no casualty or loss to property in any of the incidents,” said Mr. Krupavaram.