Fire at Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) dumping yard: Soil used instead of water to douse fire

May 15: An accidental fire broke out at the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) dumping yard at Pacchanady on Monday May 13. The fire personnel dumped soil to douse the fire due to shortage of water. Eye witnesses said that the fire rapidly extended to a bigger area, making it difficult for the fire personnel to even approach the heap of trash. The chemical content in the water too is said to have aggravated the fire.

Mangalore North legislator Dr Y Bharath Shetty visited the area and advised the Mangalore City Corporation authorities to dump soil on the fire.

The foul smell of burning plastic spread to a radius of more than 20 km following which the residents close to the dumping yard were forced to wear masks. The residents of Kudupu, Bikarnakatte and Tiruvailu, suffered allergies and developed health problems due to the polluted air. Many people, particularly senior citizens and children, were the worst hit by the toxic fumes and were shifted to houses of relatives living at a safe enough distance from Pacchanady.
While dumping soil on the waste, a truck overturned and the driver sustained a bone fracture.