A fire broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi on Sunday evening, officials reported. The blaze, attributed to gas that is produced in the landfill, sent plumes of smoke billowing from the dumping yard as firefighters laboured to contain the flames. As per the firefighters, it is difficult to douse the fire due to hot and dry weather conditions.
Initially, two fire tenders rushed to the scene upon receiving a call at 5:22 pm. However, as the fire intensified, an additional six fire tenders were dispatched. Firefighters continued their efforts to extinguish the flames, with more fire tenders on standby for potential deployment.
“Fires in landfills can burn for a long period. During night operations, our teams will be able to find more fire spots easily. We are still working to douse the fire, and it may take time,” remarked a fire official at the scene.
#WATCH | Efforts underway to douse the fire at Ghazipur landfill site in Delhi.
(Visuals shot at 5:51 am) pic.twitter.com/wu2hxm9faL
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2024
The area was cordoned off by the police to facilitate the movement of fire tenders. Senior police officers restricted access to the site, preventing onlookers from gathering and recording videos.
Residents expressed concerns over the health implications of the fire, citing breathing difficulties and long-standing issues of pollution in the area. Some criticised the government’s focus on elections over addressing daily issues such as pollution and cleanliness.