Pune: Massive fire broke out at the Kurkumbh Industrial Zone (MIDC) in Daund tehsil of Pune district in the wee hours of Thursday (October 1). The fire was reported from the distillation plant of Shiv Shakti Oxalate Company in the industrial zone. The fire was brought under control after four hours. Fortunately no worker was injured in the incident.
The entire Kurkumbh MIDC area felt the impact of the fire followed by blasts from the company. As a result, panic spread in the area. Officials are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire. Fortunately no worker was injured in the incident. Local administration has made it clear to citizens that the situation has been brought under control and there is no cause of worry. District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh has sought a report about the incident.
According to sources, the massive fire broke out at around 2am. The incident reportedly happened at the distillation plant inside the company. Fire tenders from the Kurkumbh MIDC area, Baramati and Pune city were rushed to the spot. About 10 workers were working in the company when the fire broke out. They managed to escape unhurt. Fire Brigade jawans and officers started dousing fire with water tankers and fire tenders. The operation took four hours including the cooling period.
Companies asked to submit Safety Audit Reports
District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh has asked local officials to carry out the panchnama on urgent basis. He has also appealed to citizens and workers in the nearby areas to not panic and worry as the situation has been brought under control. Deshmukh has further ordered all industries in the MIDC to conduct a safety audit and submit their reports on priority.
Shiv Shakti Oxalate company was established in 1997. It manufactures, supplies and imports solvents, chemicals and intermediates. Their products are widely demanded in paints, perfume, confectionery and wood industries. The registered office of the company is at Chembur in Mumbai.
In a similar incident reported in May 2020, fire had broke inside the Kusum Chemicals company in Kurkumbh MIDC. In that incident too nobody was injured.