Pharma unit catches fire in Baddi, no casualties reported

A massive fire broke out at Alliance Biotech, a pharmaceutical unit at Katha village in Baddi on Wednesday morning, causing significant damage to property.

No loss of life was reported as workers managed to leave the unit unhurt.

According to an employee, the fire initiated from a store room and spread to other sections within no time.

Firemen from Baddi rushed to the spot after receiving information around 11:14 am with two fire tenders.

“Given the gravity of the blaze, fire tenders were also requisitioned from Nalagarh as well as other firms like Birla and Vardhman textiles,” a fireman on site said, adding that the actual cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

The fire men faced several challenges in dousing the fire. The unit’s layout, with little open space around the structures, restricted access for letting in the fire-fighting paraphernalia.

The fire was eventually brought under control after several hours of sustained effort.

Speaking to media, unit owner Shishir Gupta said that efforts would be made to rectify the shortcomings observed during the fire-fighting operation.