The fire that ignited the garbage heap in Kanadola, Ratnapura area was extinguished with the aid of the Air Force (SLAF) and the Army, said Assistant Director, Media, Disaster Management Center, Janaka Handunpathiraja, yesterday.
“A small fire broke out due to the ignition of methane gas in the garbage heap. But, this is currently under control and there was no damage caused,” he told the Sunday Observer.
An SLAF helicopter attached with a Bambi bucket was deployed to assist in the fire fighting.
Speaking of the incident, SLAF media spokesman, Group Captain Seneviratne said that on Friday, Army was deployed to control this fire situation.
“There was a request on Friday evening, for a helicopter and we deployed a Bell 212 helicopter attached with a Bambi bucket. Six bucket loads of water were used to douse the fire. Yesterday morning, there was again a request for a helicopter and a further six bucket loads of water was used,” he said.
Handunpathiraja said that these situations arise due to methane and carbon monoxide which forms in garbage heaps, igniting. He added that there is no risk of another fire breaking out immediately.