Jaipur, Sep 24 (IANS) : Fourteen firefighters suffered burn injuries, while four were critically injured, in explosions involving chemical-filled drums while they were putting out a major fire at a handicraft factory in Jodhpur’s Basni area. Three of the critically injured firefighters are on ventilator support, while two factory employees have also suffered burns over nearly 90 per cent of their bodies.
All 14 injured firefighters are undergoing treatment at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, where a separate ICU has been arranged.
The fire broke out at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the factory in Ganesh Nagar Shramik Colony.
Firefighters were battling the blaze when a stone reportedly fell from the factory roof onto a drum containing phenol, triggering a powerful explosion.
The blaze was brought under control around 5 a.m. on Thursday after nearly 12 hours of firefighting. However, the fire reignited around 7 a.m., forcing fire brigade personnel to return to the site. The flames were brought under control again, although smoke continued to emerge from the factory until around 11 a.m.
Burning chemicals were thrown as far as around 300 metres, injuring firefighters who were operating near the drums. Around 35 firefighters were involved in the firefighting operation.
Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer, Jalaj Ghasia, said 10 fire tenders from different stations were deployed after the fire was reported.
The presence of chemical-filled drums and thinners inside the factory made the operation particularly difficult, with several drums exploding during the blaze injuring 14 firefighters.
As ambulances were not available at the spot, their colleagues transported them to AIIMS Jodhpur in fire brigade vehicles and pickup trucks.
After initial treatment at AIIMS, the injured were shifted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital as AIIMS did not have a dedicated burn unit.
The intensity of the fire prompted authorities to call an Indian Air Force fire brigade team after 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
Police Commissioner Anshuman Bhomia said flammable chemicals and thinners were being used at the handicraft factory. Of the 14 injured firefighters, four are in critical condition and three are on ventilator support. Two factory employees have also suffered burns covering approximately 90 per cent of their bodies.
Basni SHO Nitin Dave said a case has been registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Chief Fire Officer. Police are now making efforts to summon factory owner Rajendra Agrawal for questioning.
A Municipal Corporation team has also begun an investigation into the factory’s operations and has requisitioned its documents.
Officials are examining how chemicals were being stored and whether the factory was operating in accordance with safety requirements. Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi visited the factory site on Thursday.
He said the operation of such a factory in a residential area presents a challenge for the Rajasthan administration. Joshi said he would raise the matter with the administration and seek a survey of the area to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Residents have also raised concerns about the factory’s operation. A resident of the workers’ colony, claimed that complaints regarding the issue had been made previously but no action was taken.
The administration’s investigation is expected to examine the factory’s permissions, storage of chemicals, safety arrangements and the circumstances that led to the explosion.
