18 die in fire at Pune dist chemical factory
A devastating fire erupted at a chemical factory in the Ghotawade Phata industrial area of Pune district on Monday, in which at least 18 workers, mostly women, were charred to death. According to officials, the fire broke out at SVS Aqua Technologies, which manufactures chlorine dioxide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of `2 lakhs each for the next of kin of the deceased.
Pune, June 7: At least 18 workers, mostly women, were charred to death in a devastating fire that broke out at a chemical firm in an industrial area in Pune district on Monday afternoon, officials said. One worker suffered burn injuries in the incident, they said.
According to the officials, the fire broke out at SVS Aqua Technologies, which manufactures chlorine dioxide among other chemicals and is located in the Pirangut MIDC area of Mulshi tehsil on the outskirts of Pune city.
“So far, 18 bodies have been recovered from the firm’s premises. We have stopped the search operation due to darkness and heat caused due to the blaze. “The search operation will resume on Tuesday morning to find out if any worker is still missing,” said Sandesh Shirke, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Mulshi division.
He said as per company officials, there were around 17 employees, including 15 women, at the site where the blaze started. All the bodies, which were completely charred, were sent to the government-run Sassoon General Hospital for autopsy, Shirke said.
The bodies were burned beyond recognition and their identify will have to be ascertained by conducting DNA testing, he said.
A worker escaped with burn injuries and was admitted to the Sassoon General Hospital, where he is stated to be out of danger.
Fire brigade officials said the bodies were found in multiple groups with the victims clinging each other in a desperate attempt to stay together and escape the inferno. Devendra Potphode, Chief Fire Officer, PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority), Fire Services, said six to seven fire tenders were rushed to the chemical unit to douse the flames.