Massive fire breaks out at UPL plant in Gujarat, 20 injured

Bharuch: At least 20 workers were injured after a massive fire broke out following a loud blast in a chemical factory in Gujarat’s Bharuch district on Tuesday.

According to the police, the blaze erupted around 2 am in the United Phosphorous Limited’s (UPL) unit 1 engaged in manufacturing chemicals used in medicines. The factory is located at Jhagadia industrial area. It took over four hours for fire fighters to bring the blaze under control.

The explosion was so tremendous that the sound was heard at 15 kilometres from the site. Due to the explosion, people living in the surrounding village felt like an earthquake, following which some people even come out of their homes.

“At least 20 workers were injured. Eight of them have been admitted in hospitals in Bharuch and Ankleshwar, while 12 others were discharged after initial treatment,” Police Inspector PH Vasava said.

A UPL spokesperson said that fire broke out in a plant in shutdown condition. Emergency response team and local fire brigade brought fire under control.

“Unfortunately a serious fire broke out in a plant in shutdown condition in the early hours of this morning at our Jagadia unit in Gujarat. Our emergency response team and local fire brigade have already brought the fire under control,” UPL India tweeted.

Unfortunately a serious fire broke out in a plant in shutdown condition in the early hours of this morning at our Jagadia unit in Gujarat. Our emergency response team and local fire brigade have already brought the fire under control.

— UPLIndia (@IndiaUpl) February 23, 2021

Around 15 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the blaze was brought under control by around 6.30 am, Vasava said. Rescuers were not ble to enter the unit due to excessive heat in the premises, but they were still trying to get in, the official said.