At least 6 died, and 40 others were injured in a boiler blast that led to a fire at a chemical factory located in MIDC Phase 2 in Thane's Dombivli on Thursday, May 23. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
A resident said that the residential areas are approximately 200 meters from the MIDC, and Sonarpada village is very close to the factories. There are approximately 400 companies, mills, and workshops in the area. The government should not give licenses to chemical companies and factories near residential areas.
Residents say some chemical companies operate at night, which is responsible for increasing pollution. The foul smell continues throughout the day. Some residents say MIDC was created to increase employment, but it is being misused now. "Neither the KDMC nor MIDC pays attention to our needs. Since long time, we are demanding to shift the MIDC," a resident told to LokmatTimes.com.
Some eyewitnesses of the blast say that the bodies were found in 2 parts, and the situation was very dangerous. Some relatives of the victims are still waiting at the spot for their dear ones. "I received a call from the officials that my brother's phone has been found. They are not able to identify my brother. I am worried. "
The blast affected 4 to 5 companies in total. The owners of the companies have not come forward yet. Cooling operations are going on. Some residents are saying that this is a builder-government nexus. "Some slum dwellers have illegally occupied the area. Many buildings have also come near the MIDC area."
“Six people have been killed and 48 injured in the fire that broke out in Dombivli, near Mumbai. NDRF, SDRF and TDRF teams are working together to control the fire and efforts are being made to prevent the fire from spreading further," said Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Eyewitnesses said the intensity of the blast was so high that it could be heard from 3 kilometres away, as the sound and vibration shattered the winddown glasses of cars and nearby residential buildings. Around 15 engines have been deployed to douse the blaze, and the operation is underway.
Aftermath in the Surrounding Area
According to the official, it will take more than five hours to extinguish the blaze completely, as it has spread to two other buildings, including a car showroom which located close to the chemical factory.
Visuals From the Factory
After a huge fire at a factory, thick clouds of smoke were seen billowing in the air even as half a dozen firemen, water tankers, and rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Also Read | Dombivli Fire: At Least 35 Injured in Boiler Blast at Amber Chemical Factory in MIDC Area; Visuals Surface.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that at least six persons died in the blast-cum-blaze while 48 others were rescued from the factory and rushed to nearby hospitals.
The blasts took place in a boiler at the Amudan Chemical Co. Ltd. around lunchtime. The district authorities have pressed the NDRF, SDRF, and the local fire brigade into service to carry out the rescue operation along with the police and ensure that the flames do not spread to the other industries located nearby.