Nine people have lost their lives and over 60 others were injured after a major fire broke out following a boiler explosion at a chemical factory in Dombivli, Thane district, Maharashtra, on Thursday.
The incident occurred at the chemical factory in Phase 2 of the Dombivli MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) complex, officials confirmed.
Initial reports indicated that four boilers at the Amber Chemical Company exploded, leading to a massive blaze. The fire caused drums containing chemicals to burst, shattering window panes of nearby houses.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion was so loud that it could be heard from a kilometer away. The blast also caused cracks in the glass windows of a nearby building and damaged many houses in the vicinity.
Injured workers were rushed to a local hospital, as per a civic official’s report.
Yasin Tadvi, head of the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane civic body, stated that the explosion occurred in the chemical factory around 1:40 PM.
The resulting blaze spread to three neighboring factories, emitting thick plumes of smoke and flames visible from a considerable distance.
A brigade call was issued, and eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene, according to reports.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the incident as tragic and confirmed that eight people trapped on the premises have been rescued.
“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,” he wrote on X.
Teams from the Thane civic body’s Regional Disaster Management Cell and 13 personnel from the Thane Disaster Response Force have also arrived at the location, with efforts underway to control the blaze.
Expressing condolences, Ravindra Chavan, Maharashtra’s Minister of Public Works (Excluding Public Undertakings), urged people in the surrounding areas not to panic.
He stated that the administration has been instructed to handle the firefighting operations and assured that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, with strict action taken against those found responsible.
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