New Delhi: As many as 14 workers of a chemical factory are reported to have died in a massive fire, in Pune, on Monday, June 7.
The plant, of SVS Aqua Technologies, is located in the Pirangut MIDC area in Pune’s Mulshi tehsil.
Indian Express has reported the toll as 11, while NDTV has it at 14.
According to the officials from the fire department of PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority), at least six fire tenders were sent to the plant.
Several more workers are missing, with NDTV reporting that 37 employees were working at the unit when the fire broke out. Twenty of them have been rescued.
“According to company officials, 17 workers were missing when the blaze started at around 4 pm.
“So far, we have recovered 12 charred bodies, mostly of women, from the spot and a search for others is on,” said Devendra Potphode, Chief Fire Officer, PMRDA ((Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority), Fire Services. He said six to seven fire tenders were rushed to the chemical unit, where flames were doused but the search is underway for the missing workers.
Asked about the possible cause of the blaze, Potphode said as per the company officials, the fire started during packing of plastic materials in the premises.
“Due to some spark at the (packaging) section, the fire broke out and as there was plastic around, it spread rapidly,” said Potphode.
Dr Abhinav Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, Pune district, said the plant is engaged in producing chlorine dioxide for water purification.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives due to a fire at a factory in Pune and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased. He also announced that Rs 50,000 would be provided to those injured.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire at a factory in Pune, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families,” Modi tweeted.
Note: This is a developing story.