No casualties have been reported in the fire reported at the Pawane MIDC area
A significant blaze erupted at a chemical factory located in the Pawane MIDC area of Navi Mumbai on Tuesday morning, subsequently spreading to three adjacent industrial units. Despite the ferocity of the fire, firefighting efforts have thus far managed to prevent any casualties. This incident marks the fourth such fire occurrence within an industrial facility in the Pawne MIDC this year.
The fire, initially reported around 11 am within the premises of Navbharat Chemical Industry, quickly escalated due to the presence of combustible chemicals within the factory. As flames engulfed the chemical unit, they swiftly propagated to neighboring industrial establishments, including a paper manufacturing company and a laboratory.
Surendra Chaudhari, a fire officer stationed at the Thane Belapur Industries Association (TBIA), provided insights into the unfolding events. He emphasized the formidable nature of the blaze, attributing its rapid spread to the volatile substances stored within the initial site of ignition. Chaudhari elucidated, “The intensity of the fire was so huge that the flames had spread even towards the road as well as three other industrial units.” He expressed gratitude that the conflagration did not engulf nearby chemical industries, which could have exponentially amplified its destructive potential. Notably, Chaudhari affirmed that no casualties had been reported thus far, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing firefighting endeavors.
However, challenges persisted as the confluence of intensive smoke, searing heat, and brisk winds impeded the firefighting operation. Despite mitigating the immediate threat of the fire spreading further, the presence of thick smoke and adverse weather conditions hindered the seamless execution of containment measures. Chaudhari articulated, “The fear of the blaze spreading to other industries is now assuaged. However, there are still concerns as there is intensive smoke and heat, and since the wind is strong, we are facing some difficulties in carrying out our operations.”
To combat the inferno, a comprehensive response involving multiple firefighting agencies was mobilized. Approximately 12-14 fire engines from various entities, including MIDCs at Nerul and Rabale, NMMC’s fire stations, and CIDCO, were deployed to the scene. In addition, nearly 12 private water tankers were enlisted to bolster the firefighting efforts, underscoring the collaborative approach adopted to quell the conflagration.
As the day progressed, the situation remained dynamic, with firefighters confronting formidable challenges posed by smoke accumulation and the relentless blaze. Despite their unwavering resolve, accessing the interior of the engulfed structure proved arduous, necessitating a cautious approach to ensure the safety of personnel. A firefighter from the MIDC fire department provided insight into the evolving situation, revealing, “Owing to the intensive smoke logging and the fire, we were unable to enter the building till the evening at least.” However, he reassured that significant progress had been made in containing the fire, with efforts transitioning towards cooling operations to prevent reignition.
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The complexity of the operation required a multifaceted strategy, with firefighters strategically positioned both at the front and rear of the affected unit. Their concerted efforts aimed to establish safe ingress points, facilitating a systematic approach to extinguishing the blaze. An official reiterated the commitment to relentless firefighting endeavors, affirming, “We can enter the building only once we find safe access. Firefighters have been deployed from the front and the backside of the unit, and operations will continue until the fire is entirely extinguished.”