Navi Mumbai MIDC fire: Police file case against chemicals company for negligence

The police have registered a case against the owner and the supervisor of Alma Speciality Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. for the in the company, located in Navi Mumbai’s Khairne MIDC area, earlier this week and spread to four other neighbouring chemical units,critically injuring two workers and damaging property worth crores.

Police say that the fire was caused because of the company’s negligence.

A case has been registered against owner Samitkumar Bhattacharya and supervisor Rajesh Misra for the blast in the firm’s reactor plant that started the high-intensity blaze.

“The management did not appoint trained employees with expertise. The incident occurred as those handling inflammable material were not equipped to do so,” said Amar Desai, senior police inspector of Turbhe MIDC police station, which is investigating the case. “Also, instead of checking if the workers were doing their job properly, the supervisor went to sleep at work.”

Desai said they have registered a case of negligence. “Further investigations are on, and action will be taken based on our findings,” he added.

The fire broke out in the wee hours of April 25 and burnt down five companies. Three workers were rushed to hospital with burn injuries, two of whom are in a critical condition.

The injured are Mohammed Aslam Hussain, 55, who suffered 80% burns, Manikchand Gautam, 25, who has 95% burns, and Rajendra Prasad Chavan, 40, who has 35% burns.

The affected include Alma Speciality Chemicals Pvt Ltd, Vaishnavi Ester Pvt Ltd, Narlabs, Excel Petroleum Pvt. Ltd. and Proton Bio Chem Pvt Ltd, all located along Thane-Belapur Road.