For the second consecutive day on Thursday, the garbage piled up at Perungudi dump continued to burn and Fire and Rescue Services personnel, the staff of Greater Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board were working hard to contain the fire.
Residents in the neighbouring areas such as Velachery, Guindy and Taramani, complained of smoke from the dump making it difficult for them to breathe.
The fire broke out on Wednesday at the dump adjacent to Pallikaranai marshland.
Nearly 2,000 tonnes of garbage from various areas of the city is dumped at the spot. The authorities suspect that a pile of coconut husk dumped in a particular spot might have caught fire due to the summer heat.
Govindarajan, a resident of Kallukottai, said: “Thick smoke enveloped our area and pungent smell of smoke and burning rubbish has been emanating from the dump. It has become really tough for us here.”
“We are not able to breathe good air. Every year a fire is reported from the dump. Last night, a haze of smoke surrounded this area,” said Lakshmi, another resident.
Efforts intensified
Firefighting operations which commenced around 2 p.m on Wednesday went on until 1 a.m. on Thursday. Since dawn, 75 personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services intensified their efforts.
Priya Ravichandran, Joint Director of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS), said: “We are taking all-out efforts to contain the fire within a portion. Our personnel are working with an aerial ladder, water tenders and water bowsers.”
Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru, Mayor R. Priya and Director-General of Police, Fire Services, B.K. Ravi sinspected the spot.
Mr. Nehru said the fire could have been fuelled by methane emitted by the garbage because of summer heat.
Over 300 staff from Fire and Rescue Services, the Corporation, the CMWSSB and other departments are involved in the operation.
As many as 180 lorries of water were used and the fire will be controlled completely in two days, he said.
Three medical camps had been conducted to render assistance to residents in the area, he added.
