Increased Fires at Waste Management Units in Karkala, Udupi District

The latest alarm erupted at a municipal refuse unit while workers were sorting waste, leading to a blaze that burned for over an hour and sent dense smoke into nearby streets. It comes after a string of similar incidents in the Karkala taluk of Udupi district.

This is not the first fire in the area. In the past year, nine fires broke out at municipal waste sites, many attributed to electrical faults or the spontaneous combustion of wet organic matter. As a result, the fire brigade has responded to an average of 12 incidents a month over the last six months, raising concerns about overall safety standards.

The most recent blaze left one worker injured and caused minor damage to a nearby residential compound. Local officials say a thorough investigation is underway and that the district council will review safety protocols at all disposal sites. Residents are calling for stronger fire prevention measures to protect homes and reduce the risk of further incidents. Source: Google News – Udupi.