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Nearly 24 hours after a massive fire broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site Monday afternoon, officials said it continued to rage in some parts of the area. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said more than 90 firefighters have been working since Monday to control the fire. At present, four fire tenders and six JCBs have been deployed at the landfill site.
Local residents complained of difficulty breathing as fumes from the blaze spread to nearby colonies. Fire officials Tuesday said they have been facing multiple challenges in the firefighting operation.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against unknown persons under IPC sections 287 (making atmosphere noxious to health), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others). Police said an investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause.
“We are waiting for the fire to be extinguished, then we will question guards and workers at the site to see if any mischief was involved,” said an officer.
On Monday, the DFS received a call at 2.27 pm and rushed to the spot with 50 firemen and six fire tenders.
The fire spread to different piles of garbage within minutes, and officials said highly combustible material, methane emission, smoke, unstable ground and heaps of garbage posed a challenge.
DFS chief Atul Garg said, “We initially sent six fire tenders to the Khaata area at Ghazipur. After 6 pm, we called four more fire tenders to help control the blaze. It takes time to control these landfill fires. The waste is dumped without any segregation, making it difficult to control the fire.”
A fire official working at the spot said teams have been trying to douse the fire by using water hoses on garbage mountains but small fires from under the mountains break out. Garg said his team cannot climb the mountains because the land is unstable and there is a risk of falling.
Manoj Sharma, Additional Division Officer, DFS, said he has been working on the spot for six to eight hours.
“There is no road or ground to reach the fire spot. Also, there is a risk that our men can suffocate or fall. We have been struggling because of all the methane and other toxic fumes. The only way to douse the fire is to remove piles of garbage using JCBs and water these parts first. At all times, four tenders are working in the area to control the fire and gas expulsion.”
The firefighters have been advised to wear face masks but the intense smoke and heat make it difficult to take precautions, Sharma added.
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