Tamil Nadu

Fire causes breathing problems

Mettuppalayam: A fire that broke out in the industrial waste at the defunct South India Viscose factory premises in Sirumugai near Mettuppalayam caused breathing problems for the residents in the area.

The industrial unit had remained closed for the last eight years. Many anti-social elements had been vandalising the factory premises, looting the machines and other spare parts and selling them as iron scrap in the last few years. On Thursday morning, fire broke out in an area that had containers of highly inflammable and combustible chemicals.

Thick smoke engulfed the entire area and caused breathing problems and suffocation for the residents living nearby. They also suffered from burning and itching sensation. The nearby school declared a holiday. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services battled for hours to put out the fire and control the smoke. Police suspect that the chemical waste must have been set ablaze by some anti-social elements.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu