The onset of summer has led to increase in the fire incidents in the city keeping fire force personnel on their toes.
A majority are reported from vacant plots overrun with weeds and dry vegetation, where a tiny spark can set off a major fire.
A case in point is the “accidental” fire in an open space filled with weeds and shrubs in Chamarajapuram on Friday. The timely arrival of the fire services helped contain the fire.
It was noticed by a person around 12.15 p.m. who immediately alerted the fire force personnel.
The open plot was also used as a dumping yard for construction material and a dilapidated structure with tiled roof was constructed on a portion of the land. The fire spread to the abandoned tiled house.
Fire officer Nagaraj Urs told The Hindu that the department receives not less than 10 to 12 calls per day and the spike in fire incidents coincides with the onset of summer.
A majority of them are avoidable only if owners of the vacant plots ensured that the weeds and the vegetation are cleared and the site was properly maintained. “If not, fire fighting operations will be an endless task,” he added.
Mysuru City Corporation and Mysuru Urban Development Authority have in the past called upon owners to ensure that their sites were neatly maintained. But, the appeals have been ignored by residents.
