Massive Blaze Engulfs Plastic Recycling Facility in Jhansi
A significant fire broke out at a plastic waste storage godown in Jhansi on Saturday night, triggering a massive emergency response involving approximately 12 fire tenders, including units sourced from the Indian Army. The incident occurred in the Rai Vihar Colony near Narayan Bagh, falling under the Kotwali police station jurisdiction.
Cause and Immediate Response
Preliminary investigations suggest that sparks from firecrackers during a nearby marriage procession landed on the tin shade of the building, igniting the flammable plastic materials stored inside. The godown, owned by Mahendra Rai, was currently being rented by Viru Khatik for stacking plastic garbage intended for recycling purposes.
Upon noticing the rapidly spreading flames, the onsite guard immediately alerted both the fire department and the property owners. The prompt notification enabled emergency services to respond quickly to the developing situation.
Emergency Operations and Official Response
Senior police officials, including SP City Preeti Singh, rushed to the spot to oversee the firefighting operations and ensure public safety. Firefighters worked tirelessly through the night, successfully bringing the blaze under control by past midnight.
CFO Raj Kishore Rai provided an official statement indicating that while initial reports point to firecracker sparks as the cause, authorities are conducting thorough verification to determine the actual origin of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing as fire officials examine the scene for conclusive evidence.
Outcome and Safety Measures
Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported despite the scale of the fire. The complete destruction of the plastic godown represents significant property damage, though the quick response prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent structures.
This incident highlights the critical importance of fire safety protocols, particularly for facilities storing flammable materials like plastic waste. The successful coordination between civilian fire services and Army units demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated emergency response systems in managing large-scale incidents.
