A massive fire on Friday morning broke out in a foam manufacturing unit in Industrial Area Bhilai on Nandini Road resulting into huge loss. 17 water tenders had to be used to douse the fire completely and it was finally brought under control in the noon. Fortunately, no human casualty was reported in the incident and the exact cause behind the fire remained unknown while the loss incurred by the owner remained uncalculated. Upon being alerted at about 9 am, water tenders from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reached Jagdamba Industry and the fire fighters kept struggling for hours to bring the flames under control. Large quantity of foam used in mattresses and sofas, which were stored in the industry helped fire spread rapidly and extensively while panicking the locals as well as forcing the emergency services personnel to put extra effort to douse the flames completely.

 

A delivery vehicle kept in the industry premises was also charred while the SDRF personnel had to use a JCB machine to break the walls of several rooms from back side of the industry so that they can douse the flames using pipe. Several cars parked inside the premises were also damaged in the incident. Additionally, the chemical stored in drums also fuelled the rapid spread of fire which was finally brought under control at about 3 pm. The industry is owned by one Om Prakash Sharma and due to festive season rush and numerous orders, huge quantity of foam was stored in the industry for delivery. SDRF informed that its personnel fought with the flames bravely and prevented the fire from spreading into the adjoining industrial units which could have massively increased the extent of the damage and proved devastating. The police was investigating into the possible causes behind the fire.