Four people sustained minor injuries in a fire that broke out in a chemical factory in Ambarnath on Monday. Trains on the Central Line had to be suspended for half an hour.
According to the Ambarnath police, the fire at Persia Chemicals Factory in the Maharashta Industrial Development Corporation was reported around 2 p.m.
“Employees told us that there was a loud explosion, following which the fire spread. A supervisor and three helpers were injured while fleeing,” senior police inspector Kashinath Chavan, Ambarnath police station, said. The fire brigade was informed and several fire tenders were rushed to the spot within the hour.
Meanwhile, Down services on the Central Line were shut down beyond Ambarnath, as thick smoke was blowing towards the railway line, which is close to the factory. “Services were suspended from 3.53 p.m. to 4.20 p.m. as a precautionary measure,” Sunil Udasi, chief public relations officer, Central Railway, said.
Railway officials said eight services were cancelled during this time and there were no major problems as the suspension was during non-peak hours. Mr. Chavan said the fire was doused around 6 p.m., but the fire brigade teams are still at the spot in case the fire flares up due to chemicals inside the factory.
Mr. Chavan said, “The factory makes solvents used in the manufacturing of perfumes. We are awaiting reports from fire experts to find out what had caused the explosion. We have also initiated inquiries at the factory to ascertain whether precautions were taken in terms of fire safety. Further course of action will be decided based on the results of our inquiries.”
Fire at Jogeshwari
A fire broke out on a mobile tower at the BEST Undertaking bus depot at Jogeshwari (West) around 12.30 p.m. on Monday. The blaze was doused within an hour.
