Fire at Ambernath dumping ground suffocates locals

Mumbai: A massive fire started at a dumping ground in Ambernath on Saturday morning. A layer of smoke engulfed the ground and the surrounded residential area, suffocating the residents. 

After the complaints from the locals and activists, the fire tenders reached to the spot, but the flames were completely doused only by the evening. Officials from the Ambernath Municipal Council (AMC) stated that the cause of fire is yet to be inspected.

According to the fire officers, two fire tenders were present at the site. “We received the information about fire in the dumping ground in the afternoon. As the fire spread through the site at larger slopes, it was difficult to douse it on time,” said a fire officer.

Locals have asserted that there has been multiple fire incidents at the dumping ground, which is functioning unofficially on a 30 acres plot. 

“We have been complaining regularly to the civic body about the regular fire incidents. The AMC has paid no heed to our complaints. More and more residential complex are coming up in the buffer zone of dumping ground making it dangerous for the citizens’ health.” said Satyajit Burman, member of Ambernath Citizens Forum.

“We have to keep our windows shut as the smoke and foul smell is unbearable. This time, the fire escalated to the whole site, suffocating us,” said resident, Chunilal Jadhav.

“This time the intensity of fire was very high. We are inspecting the cause of the fire. The AMC is also working on shifting the dumping ground and going for a scientific disposal system,” said Suresh Patil, health officer, AMC.