Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 6: An accidental fire near Yermal Bridge near Padubidri on national highway on Sunday May 5 spread around a large area and burnt down bushes, plants, several trees, vegetation in agricultural land, and a heap of garbage.

Thick smoke encompassed the entire area, creating problems for the highway traffic for some time. Television cables passing through the area also melted, and bad odour spread through the area, before fire extinguishers of the fire brigade and a local company doused the flames.

The area where the fire was noticed first, belongs to Yermal gram panchayat. Although the panchayat had planted a board at the site barring disposal of garbage there, the people used to bring waste in vehicles and dispose them off at the said spot. As the panchayat failed to take any action, the place had turned into an unofficial dumping yard, and breeding centre for mosquitoes.