Waste management facility facing closure gutted in Kochi

The material recovery facility near Perumbavoor that was gutted in fire on Monday.

A major fire broke out at a waste management facility at Arackappady near Perumbavoor on Monday, triggering panic in the area. The fire engulfed tonnes of non-biodegradable waste, including plastic, leaving the residential area under a thick cover of smoke for hours. Although 16 people were working in the 20,000-odd sqft facility when the fire broke out, nobody was injured.

Fire and Rescue Service units from various stations in Ernakulam district were still trying to douse the flames on Monday afternoon, according to an officer with the Pattimattom fire station.