Surat Plastic Factory Fire Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to Four, Owners Face Serious Charges
The devastating fire that engulfed a plastic granules manufacturing unit in Surat's Udhna area has now claimed four lives, with two additional labourers succumbing to their burn injuries on Tuesday night. The tragic incident, which occurred on January 19 at RMS Plast located in Uma Industrial Estate, has exposed severe safety lapses at the industrial facility.
Mounting Casualties and Critical Condition
According to police officials, the death toll has climbed to four following the passing of two more workers. The deceased have been identified as Charan Sahu and Mohammed Usman, who tragically lost their lives due to severe burn injuries sustained during the inferno. Earlier, on January 23, two other labourers—Amir Mohammed Ansari, aged 32, and Niraj Bharti, aged 22—had already breathed their last while undergoing treatment at New Civil Hospital in Surat.
The situation remains grave for another worker, Lalit Vishwakarma, who continues to battle for his life in critical condition at the medical facility. The fire had initially left five labourers with serious injuries, highlighting the intensity of the blaze that swept through the factory premises.
Owners Face Culpable Homicide Charges
In a significant development, the police have announced their intention to register a serious offence against the factory owners. Mohammed Memon and Rafik Memon, the proprietors of the plastic granules manufacturing unit, will face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
S N Desai, the Udhna inspector, revealed to media sources that "We have earlier registered an accidental death in the incident, and today we will file a complaint of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against both Memon brothers." The investigation uncovered alarming safety deficiencies at the factory.
The factory was found to be operating without any fire safety equipment whatsoever, and authorities discovered that the establishment lacked even a basic certificate from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). This complete absence of safety measures and regulatory compliance has become a central focus of the ongoing investigation.
Fire Department Response and Incident Details
According to the Surat Fire Department, the major fire broke out at RMS Plast in the Uma Industrial Estate located in Sanjaynagar. The factory specialized in processing waste plastic materials and converting them into plastic granules or chips. Teams from the Surat Fire Department responded promptly after receiving alerts and battled intense flames that were billowing from the factory windows.
The fire tenders managed to bring the blaze under control after approximately two hours of intense firefighting efforts. Inspector Desai indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from a short circuit that came into contact with the plastic waste materials stored within the facility.
The factory's operations involved handling and processing combustible plastic materials, which likely contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the fire once it ignited. The incident has raised serious questions about industrial safety standards and regulatory oversight in the region's manufacturing sector.
