Ambernath: Panic spread in and around the industrial belt of Ambernath after a massive fire broke out at a chemical factory in the Anandnagar MIDC area on Monday, triggering a series of loud explosions. As a precautionary measure, workers of eight adjoining companies and residents of a nearby village located close to the MIDC area were asked to vacate their homes due to the risk posed by the blaze and the explosions.The fire erupted at Ganesh Chemical Company located in Anandnagar MIDC. According to officials, the blaze started suddenly and within minutes spread across the premises, engulfing the entire unit.Authorities said the factory stored a large quantity of chemicals, which led to repeated explosions as chemical drums inside the unit caught fire. Eyewitnesses reported that thick black smoke billowed into the sky and could be seen from nearly 5 km away. The smoke plume continued to rise for several hours as the fire raged through the chemical unit.Soon after the incident was reported, multiple fire engines from the Ambernath fire brigade, MIDC, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, and Navi Mumbai rushed to the spot, and firefighters launched an intensive operation to bring the flames under control.Bhagwat Sonawwne, chief fire officer of the Ambernath fire brigade, said, “Officials said the presence of chemicals made the firefighting operation more challenging. Due to safety concerns, authorities evacuated workers from neighbouring factories and asked residents from a village located within about a 1 km radius of the MIDC area to move to safer locations.”Preliminary information suggests that the entire chemical unit was gutted in the blaze. However, no casualties or injuries have been reported so far.Officials said the exact cause of the fire remains unknown and will be determined after a detailed investigation.
