At least four people have died and over 30 were injured after a major fire erupted following a boiler explosion at a chemical factory in Dombivli, Thane district, Maharashtra, on Thursday.
The incident was reported at the chemical factory in Phase 2 of the Dombivli MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) complex, officials said.
As per initial reports, four boilers of Amber Chemical Company exploded, triggering a massive blaze. Due to the fire, drums containing chemicals started bursting, shattering window panes of nearby houses
Mumbai: A massive fire explosion occurred in a boiler at a company in MIDC Phase 2, Dombivli, triggering a fierce fire! The fire brigade and rescue team rushed to the scene pic.twitter.com/ko88CJxKta
The explosion was so loud that it could be heard from a kilometre away, according to an eyewitness. The blast caused cracks in the glass windows of a nearby building and damaged many houses in the vicinity, he added.
Yasin Tadvi, head of the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane civic body, stated that the explosion occurred in the chemical factory around 1:40 PM.
The blaze, triggered by the blast, spread to three neighboring factories, sending thick plumes of smoke and flames visible from a considerable distance, he said.
A brigade call was issued, and eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene, he added.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the incident as tragic and confirmed that eight people trapped on the premises have been rescued.
“Arrangements have been made to treat the injured and more ambulances have been kept ready. I have discussed with the Thane collector and they are also reaching the spot… Teams of NDRF, TDRF, and fire brigade have been called,” he wrote on X.
Teams from the Thane civic body’s Regional Disaster Management Cell and 13 personnel from the Thane Disaster Response Force have also arrived at the location, with efforts ongoing to control the blaze.
Condoling the incident, Ravindra Chavan, Maharashtra’s Minister of Public Works (Excluding Public Undertakings), urged people in the surrounding areas to not panic.