Baddi pharma unit catches fire

A major fire which erupted at a pharmaceutical unit, Neptune Life Sciences Private Limited, at Thana village in Baddi this afternoon around 2.30 pm, left eight workers injured while causing notable financial loss.

The blaze ignited due to a blast in the production area located on the first floor and soon spread to other sections due to the presence of inflammable chemicals. Foil printing for medicine packagaes was underway when the mishap occurred leaving those working in its vicinity injured, a fire official said.

Most of the unit staff managed to leave the premises in time. However, workers Puja Devi, Gagan Deep, Vandana, Julie, Usha, Gunjan and Koyal were injured when the ceiling fell over them after the fire erupted.

The firemen had to break the facade’s glass panes to seek entry. The operation lasted several hours.

Eight fire tenders were pressed into service from Baddi, Nalagarh and Vardhman textiles as the fire spread to two floors within a short span of time. Black plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the building from a distance as the fire spread uncontrollably.

Since the ill-fated unit lies in the midst of the industrial area it posed danger to other units lying in its vicinity.

Baddi Additional SP Ashok Verma confirmed that eight workers had been injured and added that an FIR was being registered for negligence against the unit. The quantum of loss is being ascertained.