Dryer blasts at pharma firm, three injured

Three persons, including a woman, sustained injuries when a dryer in a pharmaceutical factory, Uni Pharma, exploded in Chawla Colony on the Batala road here this evening.

The injured — identified as Savitri, Vickey and Sonu — were rushed to a nearby private hospital. Panic gripped the area, while local residents immediately rushed to the spot and started rescuing the injured. The police and fire brigade departments also reached the spot. It is suspected that over heating of the dryer led to the explosion.

An area resident, Hari Singh, said there were only a few workers in the factory at the time of blast. The number of victims could have been higher if it was a working day.

Factory owner Varun Suri said there was no major injury, while the factory was badly damaged.