One killed in fire at Nashik chemical factory after blast on New Year's; rescue operations on

NASHIK: One woman was killed and 17 others injured, four of them critically, in a massive fire triggered by a blast in a boiler of a chemical factory in Igatpuri in Maharashtra's Nashik district on Sunday. 11 injured people have been admitted to Suyash Hospital in Nashik city.

The blast in the Jindal Poly Films factory, located in Mundhegaon along the Mumbai-Agra highway in Igatpuri taluka, was so strong that it was heard in nearby villages.

The explosion was reported around 11.30 am, as people were waking up after the New Year celebrations.

Local eyewitnesses claimed that at least 250 workers were on the premises but a majority of them managed to escape to safety.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tweeted some labourers are still stuck in the huge fire at Jindal factory and a search and rescue operation by the Fire Brigade is on.

Nashik Collector Gangatharan D. and Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police Sachin Patil are reviewing the situation.

Around a dozen fire tenders from Igatpuri and Nashik city have also reached the spot to battle the conflagration.

Mundhegaon is located about 30 km from Nashik and 130 km from Mumbai.

Huge clouds of grey and white smoke were visible from long distances and the huge explosion shook many residents on New Year's Day.

Divisional revenue commissioner Radhakrishna Game said, "Normally, 20 to 25 people work in the plant. But, as it was the first day of the New Year, the number was less on Sunday."

"As huge grass has grown on the premises and inflammable material is lying everywhere, our first aim is to control the fire. The exact reason behind the blaze is yet to be ascertained. It will take some time," Game added.

Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pawar, who hails from Nashik, said, "As many as 100 beds have been kept ready in various hospitals --- Nashik District Civil Hospital, SMBT Hospital and other medical facilities."

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde may visit the spot later.

(With PTI, IANS inputs)

NASHIK: One woman was killed and 17 others injured, four of them critically, in a massive fire triggered by a blast in a boiler of a chemical factory in Igatpuri in Maharashtra's Nashik district on Sunday. 11 injured people have been admitted to Suyash Hospital in Nashik city. The blast in the Jindal Poly Films factory, located in Mundhegaon along the Mumbai-Agra highway in Igatpuri taluka, was so strong that it was heard in nearby villages. The explosion was reported around 11.30 am, as people were waking up after the New Year celebrations. Local eyewitnesses claimed that at least 250 workers were on the premises but a majority of them managed to escape to safety. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tweeted some labourers are still stuck in the huge fire at Jindal factory and a search and rescue operation by the Fire Brigade is on. Nashik Collector Gangatharan D. and Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police Sachin Patil are reviewing the situation. Around a dozen fire tenders from Igatpuri and Nashik city have also reached the spot to battle the conflagration. Mundhegaon is located about 30 km from Nashik and 130 km from Mumbai. Huge clouds of grey and white smoke were visible from long distances and the huge explosion shook many residents on New Year's Day. Divisional revenue commissioner Radhakrishna Game said, "Normally, 20 to 25 people work in the plant. But, as it was the first day of the New Year, the number was less on Sunday." "As huge grass has grown on the premises and inflammable material is lying everywhere, our first aim is to control the fire. The exact reason behind the blaze is yet to be ascertained. It will take some time," Game added. Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pawar, who hails from Nashik, said, "As many as 100 beds have been kept ready in various hospitals --- Nashik District Civil Hospital, SMBT Hospital and other medical facilities." Chief Minister Eknath Shinde may visit the spot later. (With PTI, IANS inputs)