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Maharashtra: 2 dead in fire at Nashik factory, CM Shinde announces ₹5 lakh ex-gratia
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and senior officials took stock of the situation. A helicopter of the Indian Air Force was also deployed for rescue operations.
At least two people died and 17 others were injured – four of whom are in critical condition – in a massive fire that broke out at a factory in Nashik district of Maharashtra on Sunday. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and senior officials took stock of the situation. A helicopter of the Indian Air Force has also been deployed for rescue operations. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, who visited the site, announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of the workers who died in the incident.
Residents in the area heard a loud explosion and a huge plume of smoke was seen rising from the site. A video showing a huge cloud of smoke emerging from the factory was doing rounds on social media platforms.
The blaze erupted around 11:30am in the Jindal Group's polythene manufacturing unit in Mundegaon village of Igatpuri tehsil in Nashik. The fire started at the boiler inside the chemical plant.
The deceased, a woman, was brought to the hospital where she succumbed to burn injuries.
“Total 14 injured including workers and supervisor. They have been hospitalised,” said Nashik Superintendent of Police Shahji Umap.
Chief minister Eknath Shinde stepped into action and said that all possible help being provided to injured and those stuck inside. “I am personally monitoring the situation. Fire systems from all nearby stations are pressed into action. Two among 14 are critical,” he said.
