A major fire broke out at a private waste treatment plant near Thamarassery in Kozhikode in the early hours of Thursday, completely gutting the facility’s main building and a large quantity of stored waste. The plant, operated by MRM Eco Solutions Private Limited, mainly processes plastic and cloth waste collected from the region. According to officials, the blaze destroyed a three-storey building inside the compound, a pickup truck used by the plant, and significant volumes of segregated waste that had been stored on the premises. Though the material loss is considerable, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
How The Fire Was Detected And Reported
The incident is believed to have started in the early hours, when most of the surrounding area was quiet following New Year celebrations. Employees who reside near the plant were the first to notice the flames and alerted the fire and rescue services at around 3.30 am. Fire station officer Abdul Gafoor from the Mukkam station said that a total of five fire units were immediately dispatched to the spot. Two units each from Vellimadukunnu and Mukkam, and one from Narikkuni, rushed to the location as part of the coordinated response.
Firefighting Operation And Challenges
Firefighters initially focused on containing the blaze within the compound and preventing it from spreading to adjoining areas. Their first step was to douse the visible flames using water, after which the team began removing heaps of waste in stages with the help of two earthmovers to reach smouldering pockets hidden underneath. Although the fire was brought under control relatively quickly, completely extinguishing it took several more hours due to the sheer volume of combustible waste stored at the plant. Officials said the operation continued until around 9.30 am before the fire was fully doused and the site was declared safe.
Threat To Nearby Residences Averted
One of the major concerns during the operation was the presence of residential buildings and employee apartments close to the waste treatment facility. With plastic and cloth waste burning intensely, there was a real risk that the flames or radiant heat could spread beyond the plant’s boundary if not contained swiftly. Fire and rescue teams prioritised creating a safe buffer zone by cooling the surroundings and continuously monitoring nearby structures. Their efforts ensured that the fire did not spread to these residential areas, preventing what could have become a much larger disaster for the local community.
Possible Causes: Firecracker Or Short Circuit?
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed, but preliminary observations have thrown up two likely scenarios. Firefighters found remnants of firecrackers near the facility, suspected to be from New Year celebrations in the neighbourhood, raising the possibility that a stray cracker or spark may have landed inside the premises and ignited the waste. Another possibility under consideration is that a short circuit within the plant’s systems could have triggered the blaze. Officials have stated that a detailed investigation will be carried out, including analysis of CCTV footage and inspection of electrical installations, to determine the precise cause.Fire station officer Abdul Gafoor said that while the damage to property and stored waste is extensive, the fact that no workers or residents were injured is a major relief. Authorities are expected to assess the losses and review fire-safety measures at the facility in the coming days.
Wider Concerns On Waste Management And Safety
Incidents like this highlight the vulnerabilities associated with facilities that handle large volumes of plastic and cloth waste, which can burn rapidly and produce dense, toxic smoke. They also raise important questions about fire preparedness, safe storage norms, and the need for regular safety audits at waste treatment and recycling plants located close to residential areas.
Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/01/01/fire-breaks-waste-treatment-plant-kozhikode.html