Hapur (UP), Sep 8 (PTI) A massive fire broke out at a paint-thinner manufacturing unit in Hapur’s Dhaulana area Tuesday, triggering a chain of explosions as hundreds of drums containing the highly-flammable chemical burst, officials said.
No casualties have been reported in the incident which took place in the morning, Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyaneshay Singh said.
Fire broke out at Triveni Medichem factory in B-12, Phase-I of the industrial area on the Masuri-Gulaothi Road. Soon, hundreds of drums stored at the factory began exploding, with some landing on the road and surrounding areas, triggering panic among residents.
A foam tender stationed at the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDC) outpost reached the spot and began
firefighting operations. Hapur Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Ajay Sharma rushed additional fire tenders from Hapur and Pilkhuwa to the site.
The blaze spread after paint thinner stored at the factory flowed out through a drain. It damaged the front walls of two adjoining factories and scorched the door of an office in another factory, officials said.
Sharma and police personnel formed a search-and-rescue team and evacuated employees from the factory and nearby premises.
As the fire intensified, assistance was sought from Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Ghaziabad CFO Rahul Pal and fire station officer Sheshnath Yadav reached the spot with four fire tenders, while Gautam Buddh Nagar sent a water bowser and an articulated water tower.
Around a dozen fire tenders used foam compound and high-pressure water from different sides to douse the flames. Foam-mixed water was also sprayed from above using the articulated water tower.
The fire was brought under control after nearly four hours of firefighting, officials said. All adjoining factories were also protected. “It is fortunate that there was no loss of life in this massive incident,” SP Singh said. PTI COR KIS ARB ARB
