Gujarat: Fire breaks out after blast at Vadodara Chemical Factory; Seven hospitalized, 700 were evacuated

A part of a chemical manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Vadodara city in Gujarat came under fire on Thursday evening. Seven workers have been hospitalized after inhaling the fumes, while around 700 people living around the factory have been shifted to safer places.

District Collector told the cause of the fire Deepak NitriteThe chemical manufacturing facility, located in Nandesari Industrial Area on the outskirts of Vadodara, was yet to be traced.

17 fire tenders immediately rushed to the spot to douse the flames and rescued those trapped at the facility. No casualties have been reported so far.

According to fire officials, 17 fire tenders including GSFC fire station along with Quick Response Center from Jarod rushed to the spot to douse the blaze, which engulfed a major part of the complex.

Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s Vadodara Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) Chief Fire Officer Partha Brahmbhatt said, “We have brought 80% of the fire under control. We have 17 fire tenders in operation. It may take up to overnight to clear the impact areas. We are hoping to completely douse the fire and clear the floor of the plant by tomorrow morning. We haven’t been able to confirm any casualties or how the fire started at this point.”

Brahmbhatt said the fire has been classified as a “big call” and people around the factory are advised to stay at a safe distance as the factory contains “large quantities of flammable chemicals”.