Mumbai, May 23 (UNI) At least eight workers were killed and 48 others injured after a major fire broke out following a boiler blast at a chemical factory at Dombivli in neighbouring Thane district of Maharashtra on Thursday, an official said.
The explosion occurred in the boiler of Amber Chemical Company located in Phase 2 of the Dombivli MIDC area, the official added.
The blast was so loud that it could be heard from a kilometre away, an eyewitness confirmed.
Glass panes of an adjoining building suffered cracks, while many houses in the vicinity were damaged by the explosion.
The injured workers have been rushed to a local hospital, a civic official informed.
Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Disaster Management cell of the Thane civic body, said the explosion ripped through the chemicals factory around 1.40 pm.
The blaze triggered by the blast spread to three adjoining factories and thick plumes of smoke and fire could be seen from a long distance, he said.
"Arrangements have been made to treat the injured and more ambulances have been kept ready. I have discussed with the Thane collector and they are also reaching the spot... Teams of NDRF, TDRF, and fire brigade have been called," Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on X.
"I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured," he added.
The blasts took place in a boiler at the Amudan Chemical Co. Ltd., around lunch time, and the district authorities summoned the NDRF, SDRF plus the local Fire Brigade and Police to help with the rescue mission, to ensure that the flames do not spread to the other industries in the vicinity.
UNI AAA ING