Major fire guts leather factory at Reay Road

A major fire broke out in a leather factory at Reay Road area in Sewri on Sunday evening.

A major fire broke out in a leather factory at Reay Road area in Sewri on Sunday evening.

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According to fire brigade officials, the fire broke out in a factory located at the industrial estate at Devidayal compound near Britannia Company around 6.22 pm.

Fire control officers said that 19 fire engines, 14 water tankers along with three ambulances were immediately dispatched to the spot to douse the fire.

Officers of the fire brigade said the factory has two floors.

“The leather factory was on the ground floor and the chemical godown was on the first floor. The fire started at the leather factory and then spread to the chemical godown.” The cause of the fire is still not known, said officials.

The fire brigade managed to bring the fire under control but due to the lack of water tankers, the fire started again,” said another fire control officer present at the spot. No casualties were reported.

The authorities vacated the premises. However the fire was still being controlled at 10pm.

“It seems that it will take hours before it can be controlled,” said a witness who works in a factory nearby.

Shiv Sena corporator Yashwant Jadhav, who was present at the spot said, “This area is prone to fire hazards and there have been frequent fires in this area. About a year back there was a fire in the very same area but no precautions were taken since then. This area has more than 50 industries and godowns.”

“The Devidayal compound is leased by the Bombay Port Trust,” said Prakash Patil, assistant municipal commissioner of the E ward. “This factory had a lot of chemicals and other flammable equipment lying around. Therefore it is difficult to say what caused the fire.”