The authorities brought under control the fire that had been raging for a week at the Vellaikkal garbage dump yard near Avaniapuram on the outskirts of Madurai on Thursday. The fire initially broke out after flames from dry grass, which reportedly had been set alight near the dump yard, spread to the accumulated garbage. Firefighters from three different fire stations were deployed to extinguish the flames at the dumping yard.


According to ANI, "A fire has been raging at the Vellaikkal garbage dump yard for the past week. Flames set on dry grass had spread to the dump yard leading to the fire at the garbage dump yard near Avaniapuram on May 7."






 


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The massive fire was first reported on May 7 when flames rapidly engulfed the dump yard from the dry grass. The Fire and Rescue Services Department received an alert about the fire around 2:30 p.m. The team from Tirupparankundram was the first to arrive at the scene, followed by teams from Periyar and Anuppanadi fire stations.






Officials suspect that the scorching heat of the summer may have contributed to the fire at Vellaikkal garbage dump yard. However, they have not ruled out the possibility of the fire being caused by human activity.


Meanwhile, Supreme Court on Thursday asked why Delhi government and Delhi Municipal Corporation was not "bothered" about the solid waste in the national capital. The Apex Court made the observation while hearing a PIL on rising pollution levels in Delhi and nearby areas.