Explosion inside the High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Sutarwadi sent panic waves as residents in nearby areas experienced loud noise and tremors on Wednesday afternoon.
Confirming the explosion,that took place around 3.45 pm,Manish Bharadwaj,Defence Research and Development and Organisation (DRDO) spokesperson said,It occurred when an experimental propellant composition was being mixed around 3.45 pm. The roof of the building was blown off. We have to assess all factors. If any residue is left,we have to clean the site.
Meanwhile,Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Mahesh Patil said,A police team from Chatuhshrungi police station was dispatched to the site after the HEMRL authorities informed us about the blast.
Inspector Mahadev Chavan said,Prima facie it is known that nobody was injured during the explosion. Details would be available only after our team returns from HEMRL.
The impact of the blast was felt in surrounding areas. Bhagvan Nivdekar,a resident of Pashan said,There was a loud noise. When the ground and roof of our house shook,we thought it was an earthquake.
It may be recalled that on April 25,2002,a fire broke out at the HEMRL,in which six persons,including two technical officers of HEMRL and four workers,were killed.