Two fire tenders from the pharma city and another from Parawada had doused the flames. Representational pic
Two workers lost their lives on Tuesday, as a plastic waste recycling unit at Dakshin Energy in Parwada, Andhra Pradesh, got engulfed in flames. The factory, located in Anakpalli district's Pharma City, is a small-scale industry that extracts pyrolysis oil from plastic waste, which is used as a raw material in biodiesel production, Parawada Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) B Mohan Rao told news agency PTI.
"Flames apparently emerged during the process, possibly due to gas, and engulfed the two workers. Both of them died in the fire.", said the police officer, while talking about the plastic unit's operation of a reactor that processes plastic waste to extract pyrolysis oil. The DSP added that while the exact cause has not yet been identified, the factory inspector has launched an inquiry into the incident.
The victims of the fire incident have been identified as V Venkatesh, an operator, and Srinadh, a mechanical fitter, both of whom were on night duty when the accident took place. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu (CM) Naidu has ordered an investigation, adding that the results of the probe will determine further action.
According to an official press release, CM Naidu was informed by officials that two fire tenders from the pharma city and another from Parawada had doused the flames.
The press release also conveyed his sorrow stating, "Naidu expressed sadness over the fire accident at Dakshin Energy in Anakapalli district's Parawada Pharma City. The CM felt sad over the death of two workers in this incident."
Inquiring about the circumstances of the fire, Naidu directed the officials to provide better treatment to the injured workers and to stand by the victims' families.
The police are in the process of registering the case for this incident and the company has made no official comment yet.
The Aliganj police, which is probing the Lucknow fire incident, have arrested three people under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 125 (rash or negligent act endangering human life) as well as under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act, news agency PTI reported. Those arrested include the building owner and operators of the pet shop and animation centre.
The FIR alleges that the premises of the building, where the fire broke out and claimed the lives of 15 people, were being operated as a commercial establishment without adequate fire safety arrangements, emergency exits, and measures to prevent smoke accumulation. The building had only one main route for entry and exit and no emergency entries or exits were present. According to the FIR, the electrical arrangements of the building were "highly irregular" and that there was no system to allow smoke to escape. It further stated that air-conditioner outdoor units and electrical equipment have been unsafely installed inside the premises.
The police have called out the building owners for negligence saying that safety measures had not been taken by them hence, putting the lives of others in danger.
While the police investigations continue, a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the UP government began its investigation on Tuesday morning.
(With inputs from PTI)
