Dombivli fire doused before reaching main chemical storage area

KALYAN: Over 20 hours after a fire broke out at a Dombivli MIDC chemical factory and grew into a major blaze that consumed a neighbouring unit as well, the fire brigade ended cooling operations at 9 am on Wednesday.
A technical team from the directorate of industrial safety and health found that damage on a far bigger scale was prevented as the flames did not reach the main chemical storage area below the level of the ground floor in Metropolitan Eximchem Pvt Ltd, the MIDC factory where the fire had started.
The fire had begun from Metropolitan Eximchem around 12.30 pm and was brought under control late on Tuesday. It completely destroyed two plants of the company and partially destroyed the remaining two at the spot, while the Vallabh Packers factory next door was gutted. Both companies suffered losses to the tune of crores of rupees.
Over 100 explosions were heard as the fire raged as chemical drums went off in the secondary storage room and manufacturing area of Metropolitan Eximchem. The blasts could be heard two kilometres away. The police evacuated the residential areas nearby, also heavily affected by the smoke.
While the heat kept the inspection team from visiting the underground area, it was found that norms had been followed as the fire had not reached the danger area.