5 Acres Gutted in Fire Near Air Force Radar Station, No Damage to Facility

A major fire broke out near the Mukkunnimala Air Force radar station in Kerala on Saturday morning, engulfing nearly 4-5 acres of dry vegetation and raising concerns over safety in the ecologically sensitive and strategically significant area.

According to fire and rescue officials, the blaze was first reported at around 11 am , prompting an immediate response from the Kattakada Fire Station , which dispatched two fire tenders to the site. As the fire intensified, an additional unit was pressed into service. After several hours of sustained firefighting efforts, the flames were finally brought under control by around 5 pm , aided in part by evening showers .

Officials said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined , but preliminary assessments suggest that the blaze may have been triggered by the ignition of waste materials dumped in the area , combined with dry brush and high temperatures . The site, described as an abandoned quarry , has reportedly been used for indiscriminate dumping of waste, which worsened the situation as the debris also caught fire, complicating containment efforts.

No casualties or damage to critical installations have been reported so far. However, the incident has led to the destruction of several acres of vegetation , posing environmental concerns and highlighting the risks associated with unmanaged waste disposal in such zones.

The Mukkunnimala Air Force radar station is considered an important defence installation , playing a role in airspace surveillance and early warning systems in the southern region. While the fire did not directly impact the facility, authorities remain cautious given its proximity.

Officials have indicated that a detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the cause and assess preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.