An explosion took place on the premises of the Asian Paints unit at Pudi, about 50 km from here, on Monday. There were about 150 workers in the facility and on hearing the deafening sound and seeing the huge columns of smoke, they ran helter-skelter. However, no one was injured, according to sources.
The explosion took place in tanks, the exact reason for which could not be ascertained immediately.
Quick response
As many as 50 firemen struggled hard by pumping out foam laced with water for over two hours to put out the fire after mobilising eight fire tenders from the Fire Department, RINL, HPCL Visakh Refinery, Laura Labs, APIIC and NTPC Simhadri. Though some more fire tenders were requisitioned from Pedagantyada, Sabbavaram and neighbouring places by the Fire Department, they were sent back following quick response from the industries, District Fire Officer B.V.S. Ram Prakash told The Hindu .
Media was declined permission to visit the accident spot.
According to the management, there was only an explosion and the fire was brought under control ‘quickly.’
Pendurthy MLA Panchakarla Ramesh Babu and other politicians visited the spot.
Asian Paints is in the process of completing the first phase of its painting plant in Visakhapatnam. It has plans to produce three lakh kilo litres each from its greenfield facilities in Visakhapatnam and Mysuru during the first phase.
