4 workers injured in blaze at Dera Bassi chemical factory

Factory owner KR Jain disclosed that it was at around 5.45 pm when chemical stored in plastic drums caught fire from a spark emanated from a reactor in the production plant on the second floor of the building. Within no time,the chemical fire engulfed the entire unit and four workers working at that time could not find way to run out.

The fire brigade people pulled out the trapped workers,one of whom was identified as Ram Shukal Chaudhary,before they were rushed to Chandigarh PGIMER,where they were struggling for life.

The fire reduced to ashes the plant,machinery,building and chemicals worth lakhs of rupees even though actual loss was yet to be ascertained,said Jain.

Dera Bassi Fire Officer Bhupinder Sandhu said timely action of the fire brigade prevented fire from spreading to adjoining units. The fire was fueled by the chemical drums placed near the reactor,said Sandhu. A huge quantity of foam was used to douse the chemical fire.