Blasts in Boisar chemical unit near Mumbai, neighbouring units in danger

A series of blasts was reported from Mohini Organics, a part of the Tarapur Chemical Zone, MIDC area, on Monday. There were no casualties

A series of blasts was reported from Mohini Organics, a part of the Tarapur Chemical Zone, MIDC area, on Monday.

The fire at Mohini Organics on Monday (Mohammed Hussain Khan)

“The intensity of the blasts was such that at least three to four chemical units are now in danger of being affected and the fire brigades from Boisar MIDC , Tarapur Atomic Power Station and Palghar Municipal Council had to be rushed to the spot,” , said PI K Hegaje, an officer at the Boisar MIDC police station. “Officials of the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, Vasai, have been informed.”

The cause of the fire is not known, and there are no casualties. Tarapur Chemical Zone has at least 400 chemical units, all of which are in perpetual danger from fire accidents as fire fighting amenities provided by the Boisar MIDC fire brigade is scant.

The unit, set up in the mid 1990s, manufactures emulsiiers, glycerol, glycol, alcohol esters and other chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives, cosmetics, food additives, textile auxiliaries and other products.

The fire brigade has cut the power supply in the entire area, and a caution notice has been issued to evacauate workers from nearby chemical units. The area has been cordoned off. When Hindustan Times contacted the company’s office in Malad, director Anil Kanoi were unavailable for comment.

In 2001, a similar fire was reported in the same unit.