Daijiworld Media Network – Hebri

Hebri, Feb 15: A massive fire broke out at the Solid and Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) unit in Hebri on February 14, resulting in the total destruction of machinery and infrastructure. The loss is estimated to be approximately Rs 1.5 crore.

The unit served as a centralized processing point for waste collected from several gram panchayats, including Hebri, Chara, Belanje, Mudumakki, and Belve. Sorted waste, including bags of plastic and paper ready for sale, had been stored near the machinery, which fueled the intensity of the blaze.

The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Reportedly, a monkey came into contact with an electric pole near the police quarters, causing a short circuit. Within ten minutes of this incident, the waste management unit caught fire. As Hebri lacks its own fire station, personnel had to be summoned from Karkala. Despite their efforts from morning until evening, the building and expensive machinery were completely charred.

Prompt action by fire department personnel prevented the fire from spreading to an adjacent panchayat waste unit. Furthermore, workers inside the disposal unit managed to exit safely, preventing any loss of life. Officials from the Hebri Taluk Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, and Police Department visited the spot to assess the damage.

Social activist Harish Shetty Nadpalu has expressed suspicion over the incident, calling for a high-level investigation. He pointed out that the unit lacked adequate security and questioned why the machinery had been non-functional for the past three months.

The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for a fire station in the taluk headquarters of Hebri. Residents expressed frustration that help must arrive from Karkala, leading to significant delays. Prashanth, the Executive Officer of Hebri Taluk Panchayat, confirmed the extent of the damage, stating that the presence of flammable materials like plastic and glass bottles contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.