A fire broke out at a closed chemical factory in Dombivli area of Maharashtra's Thane district on Wednesday morning, officials said. No casualties were reported and the blaze was brought under control in six hours, they said.
The unit is located near Amudan Chemicals, where a massive blast on May 23 had claimed 10 lives and left more than 60 persons injured.
Fire started at Indo Amines chemical factory located in Dombivli MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) area around 10 am on Wednesday due to short circuit in the adjoining company, officials said.
There was also an explosion, said Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) disaster management cell chief Dipak Nikam. Thick smoke billowing from the unit could be seen from a long distance, he said, adding that a school in the area was promptly evacuated.
KDMC commissioner Dr Indu Rani Jakhar told reporters later that those residing in the vicinity were advised to shift to safer places till the fire was put out.
As many as nine fire engines from four different agencies fought the blaze and brought it under control by 3.30 pm, she added.
Following the tragedy at Amudan Chemicals, the Maharashtra government has formed a committee to prepare an action plan to shift dangerous chemical companies from the Dombivli MIDC. A survey of companies in the MIDC is underway, the commissioner said.
