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One injured as blaze rages at liquor factory in Chandigarh’s Industrial Area
Efforts on to douse fire at Batra Breweries and Distilleries Private Limited, Plot Number 91, in Industrial Area, Phase 1, since Thursday afternoon
An employee of a liquor-manufacturing factory in Industrial Area, Phase 1, sustained burn injuries after a suspected short-circuit led to a major fire on Thursday afternoon.
Vishwanath Sharma, an employee at Batra Breweries and Distilleries Private Limited, received burns on his hands and elbows. He is admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, said police.
Two female employees — Bhanumati, 40, and Kanchan, 60, — also complained of uneasiness after inhaling smoke. They were discharged after treatment.
According to employees, the fire started while a motor was being repaired. Around 15 fire tenders were pressed into service and more were requisitioned from Mohali as well as Panchkula to douse the fire that continued to blaze till midnight.
Staff rushed out to safety as soon as the fire began around 2 pm. With tonnes of chemical stored in the distillery, the flames spread fast, triggering panic in the area that houses a number of industrial units and shops. Cracks appeared in the building, raising worries that it may collapse.
The adjacent three buildings were evacuated and police cordoned off the area.
Fire officials said there were multiple violations of building bylaws at the brewery, but details will be shared after the fire was brought under control.
