One contract worker died and another suffered minor burns after a fire broke out on Visakhapatnam , an under-construction warship of the Indian Navy, at Mazgaon Dockyard Ltd. here on Friday.
In a statement, Mazgaon Dockyard Ltd. said the contract worker succumbed possibly to asphyxia and burn injuries. Another contract worker suffered minor burns. “A minor fire took place in Yard 12704 ( Visakhapatnam ), the first of class of Project 15 B during grinding operations in tank at the dockyard. The fire broke out around 4 p.m. and was brought under control by 7 p.m.”
100% burns
Sanjay Surase, Medical Superintendent, JJ Hospital, said Brajendra Kumar, 24, was brought dead with 100% burns.
Fire brigade officials said they joined fire fighting operations at 5.44 p.m. The blaze erupted on the second deck of the ship and eight fire-fighting engines, along with a quick-response vehicle, had been pressed into service.
“The fire is confined to second and third deck of the warship. Fire-fighting operation is under way along with dockyard fire-fighters. Smoke has spread in the warship. We suspect that one person is trapped inside,” Mumbai Fire Brigade’s Chief Fire Officer, Prabhat Rahangdale, said.
Visakhapatnam , the largest warship of its class, was unveiled for construction in Mazgaon Docks in April 2015. It is the first of four stealth guided missile destroyers to be built under Project 15-B Class of the Indian Navy. Mormugao , Imphal and Porbandar are the others under construction.
“The cause of the fire will be ascertained after a proper inquiry, and the first priority was to douse the fire with a minimum loss,” a fire brigade official said.
Visakhapatnam was expected to enter service with the Indian Navy in 2021. The second ship of the type, Mormugao, was launched in September 2016 and is slated to join the fleet in 2022. Imphal and Porbandar , the third and fourth Visakhapatnam -class guided missile destroyers are expected to enter service in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Domestically designed
Displacing 7,300 tonnes, ships of the class are powered by four Ukrainian-made gas turbine engines, and capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots. Around 65% of components of the Visakhapatnam -class ships are domestically designed and produced, including 11 of its weapon and associated sensor systems, Indian Navy officials said.
