KOCHI: A paint manufacturing unit at Aroor, Mukkam close to NH 47 was gutted on Tuesday evening. Though there was no casualty, the Fire and Rescue Service officials said that a major accident was averted as there was an ammonia plant inside the compound of the manufacturing unit close to the accident spot.
R Prasad, Divisional Officer of Fire and Rescue Services Department, said that the incident occurred around 7 pm.
The fire spread all over the godown of Varuna Paint located near NH 47 between Aroor and Thoppumpady. The Fire and Rescue Service personnel first prevented the fire from spreading to the ammonia plant and later doused it.
“It was a major accident as the entire godown was destroyed. The people near the place had to be shifted and our units prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby places. The ammonia plant was sealed to protect it from the fire. It took nearly an hour to control the fire. The roof of the godown was completely gutted. By around 8.30 pm, the fire was brought under control,” he said.
Seven fire tenders from Gandhi Nagar, Club Road, Tripunithura, Mattanchery and Cherthala fire stations were pressed into service to douse the fire.
“The reason behind the accident is yet to be identified. We suspect that the fire was triggered by a short-circuit and it later engulfed the entire godown. The estimated cost of damage has to be calculated. Since machines in the factory has been damaged, the loss would come to lakhs of rupees. The police have launched an inquiry into the incident,” an official of the Fire and Rescue Services Department said.