Three killed in blaze at godown in Gujarat’s Navsari operating without NOC

While uploading one of the barrels on the truck, sources said, it got damaged and the chemical started leaking. Amid ongoing construction activity at a nearby manufacturing unit, the chemical caught fire, which eventually spread and led to the casualties, said Navsari Deputy Superintendent of Police B V Gohil.

Three people died on the spot. Police said that the deceased have been identified as Anupkumar Puniya (35), a native of Rajasthan; labourers Nilesh Arvind Rathod (25) and Shailesh Ahir (42), both residents of Devsar village. Three people who have been injured have been identified as Mukesh Rathod, Jitu Rajput and Hemant Jambekar.

The three labourers were rushed to Valsad Civil Hospital, and the fourth person who was injured — Jagdish Gadhiya — was shifted to a government hospital in Billimora .

Navsari Vejalpur NagarPalika fire officer Kishor Mangela said, “There was no fire safety in the transport godown and they have not taken fire NOC and for that we will take action against them. Over six fire tenders were involved in dousing the flames as the chemical was highly inflammable.”

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory also reached the spot after learning about the incident. Gohil further added, “At present, we have registered an accidental death offence and have started a probe.”