Surat Plastic Scrap Unit Fire Claims Four Lives, Owners Arrested
The Udhna police in Surat made a significant revelation on Thursday, confirming that four individuals lost their lives in a devastating fire that erupted at a plastic scrap processing unit on January 19. In a swift follow-up action, authorities arrested two brothers who owned the facility, holding them accountable for the tragic incident.
Chronology of the Fatal Incident
The catastrophic blaze originated when a plastic crusher machine overheated and exploded at the RMS Plast unit, situated in Plot No 18-20 of the Uma Industrial Estate. The sudden explosion instantly engulfed five workers who were present at the site, leading to severe injuries.
The victims have been identified as:
- Niraj Rambali Bharti, aged 22, who succumbed to his burns on January 22 at Civil Hospital.
- Amir Safiq Mohammad, 32, who also passed away on the same day at the same medical facility.
- Chandbabu Salim Ahmed, 31, whose life was claimed on January 25 at Kiran Hospital.
- Mohammad Usman Samim Khan, just 18 years old, who died on January 25 at Kiran Hospital.
The fifth injured worker, Lalit Vishwakarma (30), remains in a serious condition and is currently undergoing treatment at Kiran Hospital. All the deceased were residents of the Sanjaynagar area, highlighting the local impact of this industrial tragedy.
Police Action and Legal Charges
Law enforcement officials took decisive action by arresting Mohammad Husain Meman (37) and his brother Mohammad Abdul Kadir Meman (35), the owners of the plastic scrap unit. They have been charged under serious sections of the law:
- Culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Negligent acts endangering human lives under Section 125(b) of the BNS.
Another partner in the unit, Saqib Fakir Shaikh, is currently absconding, and police efforts to locate him are ongoing. In a crucial procedural step, authorities called an executive magistrate to record the dying declarations of the victims while they were undergoing treatment at the civil hospital, ensuring proper legal documentation of their final statements.
Investigation Uncovers Grave Safety Violations
The police investigation uncovered alarming safety lapses that directly contributed to the severity of the incident. Key findings include:
- The scrap unit had been operational for approximately one-and-a-half years without obtaining any No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department.
- The facility was found to be excessively congested with inadequate safety measures in place, which critically hampered the workers' ability to escape during the emergency.
- Approximately eight workers were present at the time of the blast, and the subsequent ignition of nearby plastic waste rapidly intensified the fire, creating a deadly environment.
- Despite conducting hazardous operations involving flammable materials, the unit had neither informed the Industrial Safety Department nor applied for the mandatory fire NOC.
Following the incident, a team from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) conducted an inspection of the premises. Their assessment revealed that the unit had only secured a certificate under the Shops and Establishments Act, which is insufficient for such high-risk industrial operations.
Immediate Consequences and Regulatory Response
In response to the multiple violations of mandatory operational norms, authorities took prompt action by sealing the unit immediately. This decisive measure underscores the seriousness with which regulatory bodies are treating such safety breaches. The incident has raised significant concerns about industrial safety protocols in the region, particularly regarding the enforcement of fire safety regulations in hazardous manufacturing environments.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to safety standards in industrial settings, where negligence can have fatal consequences. As the investigation continues and legal proceedings advance against the arrested owners, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents in the future through stricter compliance monitoring.
