RAHIM YAR KHAN: A huge stock of bagasse caught fire in the largest sugar mills in the district, located at Jetha Bhutta town in Khanpur tehsil, some 56kms from here on Monday, causing panic among the residents of nearby localities.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, the fire erupted around 12.45pm in the stock of bagasse (dry fibrous remains of crushed sugarcane) which was spread in Hamza Sugar Mills near Chak 1-P on Shahi Road. It engulfed the whole stock spread over 43,560 square feet in no time.

On being informed of the blaze, Rescue 1122 firefighters and fire engines reached the spot immediately and extinguished the fire after hectic efforts.

According to locals, the fire started when the mills administration tried to run the boiler of the power plant where bagasse is used as fuel.

Locals allege the unit polluting environment

The mills administration also called labourers to join the firefighting efforts with the help of water pumps installed there to meet any emergency situation.

According to a chemical engineer of the mills, bagasse becomes inflammable in high temperatures because of presence of ethanol in it.

Panicked by the clouds of smoke and flames leaping out of the mills, many residents of nearby localities left their house to move to other places.

An old resident of the area, seeking anonymity, complained that the smoke caused by routine burning of huge quantities of bagasse and stench of molasses was a serious environmental issue, especially for those residing in the mills’ vicinity.

He alleged that the residents of nearby villages and Basti Dhoom Sari were suffering from different diseases because of the pollution caused by mills, but the Environment Protection Department (EPD) officials have been looking the other way since long.

When Dawn contacted retired Col Sikandar, an official of the mills administration, for his version, he said that he was on a leave.

He said another staffer of the mills would contact this correspondent for giving the management’s version, which was awaited till the filing of the story.

EPD Assistant Director Sooraj Kumar, who has taken charge a day back, says he will look into the issue and send the department’s team to take environmental samples from the area to asses the situation.

“If sugar mills was found responsible for any environmental pollution the law will take its course,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024