Cause of fire at BARC lab still unknown

Umang Singh and Partha Bag, the two research fellows at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), died even before they could cry for help said Tulsi Mukherjee, director of the chemistry group.

Umang Singh and Partha Bag, the two research fellows at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), died even before they could cry for help said Tulsi Mukherjee, director of the chemistry group.

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The two were charred in a fire in a BARC laboratory on Tuesday. Mukherjee said no one realised that the duo was dead until the fire was put out.

The lab, in Room 160, is under photochemistry division and was opened on Tuesday after a repaint. Mukherjee said a loud thud was heard and when people rushed to the lab, it was on fire.

“Some media reports said a nitrogen cylinder had exploded. It’s false.” The cylinder and a carbon dioxide cylinder was intact, he said. The refrigerator’s compressor, too, was intact. He said the bodies were identified immediately as Bag was plump, while Singh was tall and lean.

The cause of the fire has still not been established. “Experts (at BARC) have said the electrical circuit was well protected and could not have caused the fire,” Mukherjee said. The experiment — cure for cancer — the duo was working on did not require to light a fire.

“They were working on anti-oxidants from herbal extracts.”

Ruling out sabotage, Mukherjee said sniffer dogs did not find anything.

He also spoke about an earlier fire incident involving Singh. A week ago, in Room 155, two bottles broke and smoke started coming out, he said. Singh tried to put out the fire and suffered minor burns to his hands.