KOCHI: Creating panic among residents, yet another fire broke out at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant around 2pm on Friday. Residents, who noticed swirls of smoke emerging from the plant, informed fire and rescue department.Post-flood debris and plastic waste heaped at the southern side of the plant caught fire. Five firefighters from Thrikkakara and Gandhi Nagar rushed to the spot. Officials with the fire department raised a suspicion that the fire might have been created to clear the waste and make space for new arrivals."We were able to bring the fire under control by 4pm. Though water has been poured over the waste heaps, it does not trickle down due to the presence of plastic. However, smoke may continue to emenate from the heaps," said an officer with the fire and rescue service.He also said that absence of a road or a pathway for vehicles to move inside the premises of the plant remain a hurdle in firefighting.Kochi mayor Soumini Jain and district collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla visited the spot."The incident has taken place despite heavy security at the plant. There could be some conspiracy behind the fire," said the mayor.Safirulla said that frequent outbreaks at the plant is a matter of concern. "Cases would be initiated against corporation officials if negligence from their part is found," said the collector.A major fire outbreak at Brahmapuram in February had engulfed Kochi and its suburbs in toxic smoke and the corporation was forced to stop waste collection in the city for a few days. The decision was taken after residents of Vadavucode-Puthencruz panchayat staged protests and blocked movement of trucks carrying waste to the plant. tnn

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