Seeping methane gas ignites inferno in Bengaluru
- Waste heaps, machinery and vehicles in the Kannalli Waste Treatment Unit were engulfed in a massive blaze.
- Negligence on the part of the company entrusted with the responsibility of periodic maintenance, is the reason for the mishap, opined the BBMP.
Owing to a methane leak that emanated from a heap of waste items stored in Kannalli Waste Treatment Unit, on Magadi Road in Bengaluru, a major fire broke out that eventually burnt machinery and accessories worth ₹9.5 crore. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially ascertained. Â
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A case has been registered in Bedarahalli police station in this regard.
In the early morning on Tuesday, methane gas is assumed to have leaked from a large heap of waste which eventually ignited the heap, authorities speculated. The 29-acre campus contained several big types of machinery and tools like compost manure-preparing machines, fuel generating machines and plenty of raw materials and vehicles, all of which were engulfed in the massive fire.Â
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Unit personnel, who arrived around 5.30 am, noticed the fire and informed the Fire Force office.
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Soon after being tipped off, more than 40 fire force personnel who reached the spot had a herculean task in extinguishing the fire and only around noon was the fire completely doused. Â
The fire also released vast quantities of noxious smoke, which may harm the health of residents nearby. Locals say they are scared of respiratory diseases.
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Negligence on the part of the company entrusted with the responsibility of periodic maintenance, is the reason for the mishap, opined Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner, Solid Waste management, BBMP. Â
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In the wake of the fire, the transportation of garbage and waste material to the said unit has been stopped tentatively.