Bengaluru's Bellandur lake catches fire, thick smoke engulfs the area

Thick smoke enveloped Bellandur lake in Bengaluru after a fire broke out when garbage strewn around it was set ablaze, a fire department official said.

The incident triggered panic among motorists on the busy Sarjapur main road.

The flames raged for a while, and the area was enveloped in smoke.

Following the fire, the environment ministry has ordered an enquiry into the incident.

“We are enquiring into it. The report will come by evening. We will have to see what were the reasons behind the fire,” Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said.

Residents hit out at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials for their “lackadaisical” attitude in stopping garbage dumping.

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chairman Lakshman said notices have been issued to BBMP, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewage Board and other agencies to stop the dumping.

He also said the board is in the process of inspecting sewage treatment plants in the area.

The lake has been in news for the last one year for spill over of froth and toxic fumes.

Image: Following the fire, the environment ministry has ordered an enquiry into the incident. Photograph: @DCPTrEastBCP/Twitter