Massive fire breaks out at cosmetic factory in Himachal Pradesh's Baddi; 1 dead, 31 injured

PTI

Shimla/Chandigarh, February 2

A woman was brought dead to the PGIMER here on Friday evening and 31 others were injured after a fire broke out in a factory in the Baddi industrial area of Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district in the afternoon, officials said.

The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here issued a statement giving status of the victims of the Baddi factory fire admitted in PGIMER.

“In the evening hours of February 2, five patients reported to the Advanced Trauma Centre, PGIMER. These patients have been reported to be victims of the fire incident in the Baddi factory. Out of five patients, one victim has been reported brought dead,” it said.

“The four namely Charan Singh (22), Prem Kumari (27), Aarti (25) and Geeta (25), all residents of Baddi in the Solan district, have suffered spine/head injuries along with minor burns. All these patients are stable and required work up and treatment is being provided,” PGIMER’s medical superintendent and official spokesperson Vipin Koushal said, as per the PGIMER statement.

More than 50 people were in the factory when the fire broke out, said Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma.

“People jumped from the first and the second floor of the building to save their lives and sustained multiple injuries on hands, legs and even spine,” he said while talking to reporters at the spot, and added that the reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained and a forensic team is on the job.

“Some ran away to their homes and their names are being verified while several others are still missing and attempts are being made to trace them,” said Sharma.

Thick smoke oozing from the cosmetic material hindered the fire-fighting operations, and workers climbed on top of the building for safety, eyewitnesses said.

The fire tenders, which fought the fire for several hours, had a hard time dousing the flames as inflammable substances used for manufacturing of perfumes and other cosmetics were also catching fire.

The devastating fire broke out at NR Aroma around 2:45 pm on Friday. 

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#Baddi #Shimla #Solan