A major fire broke out in a plastic reprocessing unit at Kandanthara on PP Road near Perumbavoor town on Thursday evening, sending shock waves through the area.
The fire was reported around 7 p.m. and even four hours later, the combined might of 13 fire tenders and 60-odd fire-fighting personnel drawn from six fire stations across the district was still not able to completely douse the fire. The unit was engaged in shredding plastic and had plastic and other discarded items piled up everywhere, according to Fire and Rescue Services Department personnel.
“The fire was raging by the time we reached the spot. Though we cannot yet confirm the cause for the fire, we presume that electric short-circuit might have sparked the fire, and the piled-up plastic and old items might have fanned it. The place was engulfed in thick fumes, making our job all the more difficult,” said V.N. Rajan, Perumbavoor fire station officer. Fire and Rescue Services personnel were able to contain the flames before they spread to more areas. Fumes from brunt plastic caused much discomfort to fire-fighters and the people in the vicinity alike.
Divisional Fire Officer P. Dileepan said that excavators had to be pressed into service. “Since plastic does not easily absorb water, we have to rummage and pull it over using excavators and spray water to ensure that the fire was not simmering beneath. Even after the fire is completely doused, we will have to keep spraying water to put down the smoke completely,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Perumbavoor police said that details about the extent of damage and the possible cause could be gauged only after talking to the owner of the plastic reprocessing unit who was expected only on Friday morning.
