At least three dead, several injured as blaze destroys factory in Tarapur

A massive fire broke out in a factory late Thursday night in Palghar`s Tarapur - engulfing the building and eventually spreading to surrounding structures as well. At least three people have died and five others have been injured in the incident.

Mumbai: A massive fire broke out in a private chemical manufacturing company late Thursday night in Palghar's Tarapur - engulfing the building and eventually spreading to surrounding structures as well. At least three people have died and five others have been injured in the incident.

The local fire department rushed five trucks to the spot after receiving an emergency call. Initial reports from the area suggest that while the fire began in one particular building, it soon turned into an inferno and spread to adjoining buildings as well. Rescue operations were mounted with the evacuation of people inside the buildings being given priority. 

According to Palghar Control police official Pramod Pawar, the blast occurred around 11.15 p.m. in the chemical company's plant here. "The blast, cause of which is not yet clear was so deafening that it was heard in a radius of 10 km, and houses and buildings were shaken," Pawar said.

Local eyewitnesses said that the explosion, "sounding like a huge bomb" happened when many were preparing to retire for the night. However, scared and shaken by the explosion, many feared it was an earthquake and hundreds rushed out on to the streets and sat there.

Senior civil and police officials besides disaster management teams have rushed to the spot.

(With agency inputs)