Alembic chemical unit gutted in fire

However,three workers reportedly received bruises while running for safety even as a security man jumped from a watchtower and sustained leg injuries.

“No major injuries have been reported. All the workers were moved out of the factory safely. The security guard was given primary treatment,” Mehta told The Indian Express.

Fire-tenders from Halol,Kalol,nearby plant of General Motors,Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC),Gujarat State Fertlizers and Chemicals Limited (GSFC),Gujrat Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Checkmate’s Institute of Fire Safety and Disaster Management Studies at Navagam,Vaghodia were pressed into service.

After hours-long operation,the fire was brought under control by 4 am and was doused completely by 5:30 am,government officials present on the site said.

“We used foam to control the fire quickly. Though no casualties have been reported,the plant was gutted,” factory inspector of Panchmahals district,Pragnesh Gajjar said.

Mehta admitted that the plant was damaged and operations were shut. However,the fire was put out before it could spread to nearby three other plants. The facility manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations used to prepare pharmaceutical products.

The flames sparked off with an explosion,leading to panic in Panelav,Baska and other surrounding villages. “The blast had the villagers panic stricken. However,there was no gas or chemical leakage post the fire and no evacuation was required,” Halol mamlatdar Mahipalsinh Chudasama said.

The company said the cause of the fire was not known and an inquiry was going on. Later in the evening,a release from the company said the initial investigation showed that the fire might have been caused due to electrical short-circuit.