Five Labourers Battle for Life After Devastating Fire at Surat Plastic Unit
A massive fire broke out at a plastic granules manufacturing factory in Surat's Udhna area on Monday morning. The blaze left five labourers with severe burn injuries, fighting for their lives in hospital.
Critical Condition of Injured Workers
The five injured labourers sustained over 50 percent burn injuries in the incident. They are currently undergoing treatment at Surat's New Civil Hospital. Doctors have reported their condition as critical.
The injured workers have been identified as Charan Sahu, 27; Amir Ansari, 32; Niraj Bharti, 22; Usman Mohammed, 18; and Lalit Vishwakarma, 30. All of them are residents of Surat's Udhna and Limbayat areas.
Factory Details and Rescue Operation
The fire erupted at RMS Plast, located in Uma Industrial Estate on Udhna Road No 3. This factory processes waste plastic materials into granules.
When the fire started, most workers managed to escape safely. However, five labourers suffered serious burns. Their colleagues rescued them from the burning factory and rushed them to hospital immediately.
The severity of their injuries required admission to the Intensive Care Unit. Medical staff are providing round-the-clock care to the victims.
Firefighting Efforts and Safety Measures
Teams from the Surat Fire Department reached the scene promptly after receiving the alert. Firefighters battled flames that were billowing from the factory windows.
As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated neighbouring factories. Police personnel cleared traffic around the area to ensure unhindered access for fire tenders.
A large crowd gathered at the site following the incident. Police maintained order while firefighting operations continued.
Fire Officer's Statement on the Incident
Rohit Khalasi, Fire Officer from Udhna, provided details about the firefighting operation. "We brought the fire under control after two hours of battling with the flames," he stated.
Khalasi explained that the factory's stock of plastic waste materials and plastic chips helped the fire spread rapidly. The blaze gutted two machines completely.
"The fire may have erupted due to a short circuit," the fire officer suggested, indicating the probable cause of the disaster.
Police Investigation and Factory Ownership
S N Desai, Inspector at Udhna police station, revealed that the factory belongs to the Memon brothers, Mohammed Memon and Rafik Memon.
"We are analysing their documents," Desai stated. "We have also asked GPCB (Gujarat Pollution Control Board) and factory inspector staff to check the documents and provide us with a report."
The police have registered an accidental death complaint initially. "Once we get a report from the GPCB and Factory Inspector, we will register a complaint against the owners," Desai added.
Impact and Aftermath
The fire caused significant damage to the factory premises. The incident has raised concerns about safety standards in industrial areas.
Local residents expressed shock at the severity of the fire. Many gathered near the factory to witness the aftermath of the blaze.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire. They are examining all possible factors that might have contributed to the tragedy.
The condition of the five labourers remains the primary concern. Their families have gathered at the hospital, anxiously waiting for updates on their health.
