Gurugram, May 12 -- A fire at a secondary waste collection point along Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) in Sector 69 burnt for nearly 18 hours, since Sunday evening, with authorities suspecting methane buildup, heat-related factors or a short circuit as possible causes, fire department officials said Tuesday. "The fire was reported around 7pm on Sunday, following which six fire tenders were rushed to the spot within 30 minutes of receiving the call. The blaze was largely brought under control by late Sunday night, though fire tenders continued making rounds till Monday to douse residual flames and prevent flare-ups," a senior fire department official said. Residents and vendors reported thick smoke and toxic fumes causing severe breathing difficulties, particularly in nearby informal settlements. "A loud sound was heard, and within a few seconds, we could see flames emerging from the collection point. The waste pickups has been halted for days," said Dinesh Kumar, a local. Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) officials said the exact cause remains under investigation. "Rising mercury levels and accumulation of waste are suspected to have caused the fire. While excavators have been deployed to control flames, fire tenders reach the spot every thirty minutes to contain the residue burning," a senior sanitation officer said, requesting anonymity. "Efforts are being made to ensure the fire remains confined to an area. No individual sustained any injuries. Utilities such as power lines largely remain untouched during the incident," the official added. A senior official from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHVBN) said a 33kV underground powerline supplying electricity to Sector 76 passes through the stretch. "While a line fault has been reported on the stretch since Saturday, leading to disruptions at Suncity, it has become difficult to trace the faulting points due to accumulated garbage. The municipality will be asked to keep the garbage at a safe distance from utilities," the official said....