At least two people died and 19 others were injured – four of whom are in critical condition – in a massive fire that broke out at a factory in Nashik district of Maharashtra on Sunday. Two more are feared trapped, officials have said. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and senior officials are taking stock of the situation. A helicopter of the Indian Air Force has also been deployed for rescue operations.
Residents in the area heard a loud explosion and a huge plume of smoke was seen rising from the site. A video showing a huge cloud of smoke emerging from the factory was doing rounds on social media platforms.
The blaze erupted around 11:30am in the Jindal Group’s polythene manufacturing unit in Mundegaon village of Igatpuri tehsil in Nashik. The fire started at the boiler inside the chemical plant.
The deceased, a woman, was brought to the hospital where she succumbed to burn injuries.
“Total 14 injured including workers and supervisor. They have been hospitalised,” said Nashik Superintendent of Police Shahji Umap.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde stepped into action and said that all possible help being provided to injured and those stuck inside. “I am personally monitoring the situation. Fire systems from all nearby stations are pressed into action. Two among 14 are critical,” he said.
Justin