The incident occurred at Bhaimala village, Alibaug; there’s no fire brigade service within 100 metres of the spot
A massive inferno engulfed Kranti Fireworks at Bhaimala village, 10 km from Alibaug, around 3.30 pm yesterday. At least 6 people were killed and 17 were injured in the incident. According to top officials, the cause of the fire is yet unknown.
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Firemen took four hours to douse the flames. However, officers were engaged in cooling down the site till 8 pm. Pics/Dainik Krushival
“10 women and six men were rushed to Alibaug Civil Hospital. The Poynad police station got a call at 4.16 pm, after which the MIDC fire brigade reached the site around 5.15 pm,” said Milind Sonawane, assistant station officer, MIDC Water Works.
The injured were immediately taken to Alibaug Civil Hospital
The owner of the factory is missing. Meanwhile, nine people were brought to JJ Hospital in critical condition late last evening. Seven others, with lesser injuries were taken to Sion Hospital. Speaking to mid-day, MV Deshmukh, director, Maharashtra Fire Services, said, “How such a factory was permitted at Bhaimala, which is an unorganised area, is a crucial question.” He added, “It took an hour for the fire brigade to reach the spot, as there is no outpost near the factory.”
The blaze was first noticed by locals around 3.30 pm, but they reportedly took half an hour to inform the fire department. The injured were immediately taken to Alibaug Civil Hospital. Firemen took four hours to douse the flames. However, officers were engaged in cooling down the site till 8 pm. The MIDC Water Works being closest to the spot, reached first to extinguish the fire. A few industrial fire brigades too arrived a little later.
Inspector General of Police Sukhwinder Singh corroborated that the situation was almost completely under control by 8.30 pm. Dr Sunil Keswani, from National Burns Centre, Airoli confirmed that one woman, reportedly with 90 per cent burns, was being brought there. Dr Avinash Supe, dean of Sion Hospital, said, “Seven patients, with minor injuries from the blast in the fireworks factory, have been brought here. All of them are stable.”
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