Deadly Fire Erupts at Kochi Lubricant Factory, Claims Worker's Life
A devastating fire broke out at the Cee Jee Lubricants facility located in the Edayar Industrial Area near Pathalam, Kochi, on Thursday morning. The tragic incident resulted in the death of one worker and left three others with minor burn injuries. The blaze, which ignited around 9:30 AM, rapidly intensified into a major emergency due to the highly flammable oils and chemicals stored on-site.
Victim Identified as Long-Time Employee
The deceased worker has been identified as Shathruknan Mukhia, a 45-year-old native of Bihar who had been employed at the oil purification firm for over 15 years. According to fire officials, Mukhia was inside the steel-structured building along with approximately 30 other employees, predominantly migrant laborers, when the fire erupted.
Station officer V S Renjith Kumar from the Eloor fire station provided details: "Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before thick plumes of black smoke began billowing from the facility. While most workers rushed to safety, the deceased is believed to have attempted to shut down a safety valve and readjust the control panel. He took a high risk, but suddenly the fire along with oil from the machinery engulfed him."
Massive Firefighting Operation Launched
Fire and rescue units from across Ernakulam district, including teams from Eloor, Aluva, and Kochi, were immediately deployed to the scene. Authorities cordoned off the industrial zone and evacuated workers from nearby companies as a precautionary measure.
"It took 10 fire brigade units from nine stations, including FACT, one-and-a-half hours to bring the flames under control," Kumar confirmed. The extensive response prevented what could have been a catastrophic explosion, thanks to the functioning of safety valves that contained the spread to nearby facilities.
Preliminary Investigation Points to Machinery Failure
A high-level team from the factories and boilers department, led by director P Pramod, conducted an immediate inspection of the site. Their preliminary investigation revealed that a leakage from a thermic fluid heater, used to purify waste oil, caused the massive fire.
Pramod explained to reporters: "The thermic fluid heater is diesel-fired and uses a special type of oil instead of fluid. We detected a leakage in the machinery. We suspect that a crack in the coil resulted in the leakage, which increased pressure. The safety valve was automatically relieved, but oil and fire leaked through the valve and fell on the employee who rushed back to manage the control panel in his bid to control the fire."
The investigation further revealed that the thermic fluid heater was 17 years old and that the company had not submitted required maintenance documentation. According to regulations, complete machinery maintenance must be carried out every two years.
Safety Equipment Found Severely Lacking
Shockingly, the lubricant facility was found to have only a single fire extinguisher on-site, with no other adequate safety equipment available. This glaring deficiency raises serious questions about industrial safety compliance in the area.
However, Edayar Small-Scale Industries Association (ESSIA) president V Narendra Kumar offered a different perspective, claiming that the factory had recently conducted rehauling of its machinery.
Growing Safety Concerns Among Local Residents
The incident has intensified existing safety concerns among local residents, who point to repeated mishaps involving multiple companies in the Edayar industrial belt. Environmental activist and local resident Shabeer O V highlighted several previous incidents:
- In July 2024, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board issued closure orders to the same facility following allegations of illegal untreated wastewater discharge into the Periyar River.
- In October 2024, a boiler explosion at a nearby company claimed the life of another migrant laborer. Investigations revealed that the high-capacity boiler had been illegally installed.
- Multiple mishaps have occurred since 2021, including a similar fire incident at a nearby fish processing company that allegedly lacked proper licensing for its furnace operation.
"There are nearly 250 companies in the Edayar belt itself," Shabeer noted. "We have been requesting authorities to set up a common tank and foam storage facility in the industrial area to use water in emergency situations. We even offered to purchase the foam ourselves."
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
The victim's family, including his wife and two children, had been staying with him in a rented accommodation at Edayar. Binanipuram police have registered a case for unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
As investigations continue, this tragic incident has spotlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols, regular inspections, and better emergency preparedness in Kerala's industrial zones. The factories and boilers department has confirmed that their probe into the exact circumstances of the fire remains ongoing.
