An explosion believed to be linked to a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak triggered a major fire at an industrial unit in the Bhosari MIDC area of Pune on Saturday afternoon, leaving six workers injured.
The incident occurred around 3:45 pm at Ambika Powder Coating. A sudden blast inside the unit led to a rapid spread of fire and dense smoke, resulting in one worker sustaining serious injuries while five others suffered minor burns. All injured workers were immediately provided first aid and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
PCMC Fire Brigade Prevents Major Disaster
The swift response of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Fire Brigade was crucial in preventing the blaze from escalating into a major disaster. Fire tenders from Pimpri, Nehrunagar, and Bhosari stations were immediately deployed to the site.
Despite the challenging conditions, including the presence of multiple LPG cylinders and intense heat, approximately 30 fire personnel, led by Deputy Fire Officers Gautam Ingawale and Dilip Gaikwad, evacuated all workers and successfully brought the fire under control, halting its spread to adjacent factories.
Fire Officer Rishikant Chipade emphasized that the timely arrival and coordinated efforts of the teams averted a more severe tragedy, especially given the density of industrial units in the area.
Investigation Underway, Focus on Safety Compliance
Preliminary findings suggest that a leakage of LPG from cylinders may have caused a vapour cloud explosion, although the exact cause is currently under detailed investigation by the Fire Brigade and concerned authorities.
The incident has renewed focus on industrial safety standards in the MIDC area. Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar Kharote stressed the need for rigorous adherence to safety protocols.
“Non-compliance with safety standards remains a key cause of such incidents, and there is a need for regular checks and training,” said Kharote, urging industrial establishments to treat safety as a non-negotiable priority.
PCMC officials have appealed to all industrial units to strictly follow fire-safety norms and report emergencies immediately by calling the fire control number 101.