Massive Fire Breaks Out at Pallikaranai Dump Yard; Over 100 Seized Vehicles Destroyed
A major fire broke out at the Chennai Corporation dump yard in Pallikaranai on Thursday morning after plastic waste caught fire, sending thick black smoke across several parts of South Chennai.
The fire reportedly started around 8:30 a.m. in an area where plastic waste was being segregated. Due to the highly combustible nature of plastic materials and strong winds, the flames spread rapidly, creating a dense smoke cover visible from Pallikaranai, Velachery, Madipakkam, and Perungudi.
The incident caused severe inconvenience to motorists and commuters traveling through the area, with reduced visibility and smoke-related discomfort reported by residents and road users.
More than 100 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and two-wheelers that had been seized and stored in connection with various police cases, were destroyed in the fire.
Following the incident, multiple fire and rescue teams from nearby stations rushed to the spot. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control with the support of water tankers and other emergency equipment.
Senior officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation inspected the affected site and reviewed the firefighting operations. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Corporation officials stated that the dump yard handles several tonnes of plastic waste every day. As a precautionary measure, special medical camps will be organized in nearby localities to assist residents who may have been affected by the smoke.
