Fire breaks out at waste dump near MG Road Metro corridor in Bengaluru, triggers concern

Bengaluru: A fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at a waste dump, containing dry leaves and debris on a parcel of vacant land in General Cariappa Memorial Park, located beside the Metro boulevard on MG Road. The incident triggered concern as a thick plume of smoke engulfed the area and encircled the tracks of Metro’s Purple line.

The fire is suspected to have started in a large heap of dry leaves mixed with plastic, paper waste that was dumped on the edge of the boundary after cleaning the waste generated during the Republic Day celebration, held two days ago at Field Marshal Manekshaw parade ground in the same compound. While the exact cause of fire is unknown, eye witnesses ruled out any foul play.

Namma Metro’s maintenance staff – who were cleaning the boulevard – rushed to the spot in large numbers soon after the fire was detected at around 3 pm. Much of the initial firefighting effort involved Metro staff, mostly women, carrying buckets of water from a distance. As the fire spread, Metro personnel attempted to douse the flames using fire extinguishers. However, the four powder-based extinguishers proved ineffective in controlling the blaze.

About ten minutes after eyewitnesses called the Fire and Emergency department, fire personnel arrived at the spot. It took about 20 minutes to douse the fire and bring it under control, but the smoke continued to emanate from the site for over an hour.

Eyewitnesses expressed concern that the fire could recur, as large quantities of dry leaves, plastic and paper waste continue to lie dumped at the site. “Unless the waste is completely cleared, there is a risk of similar incident recurring,” they said.

While the park is closed for the public, the MG Road boulevard keeps seeing visitors and eye witnesses suspect that the fire may have been triggered because of the lit cigarette being thrown in the vicinity.