Two killed in factory blast

The explosion shattered the asbestos roof of the factory.

Two chemists, identified as Ashok M. Patel 28 and Dharmesh V. Patel 26,residents of Sanand and Ahmedabad respectively, died on the spot, said ChiefInspector of Factories B.M. Mehta. The bodies were taken to the New CivilHospital in Ahmedabad.

Another chemist, identified as Devendra S. Singh 30, received burns in theface, Mehta said. He said and inquiry was under way, and that action wouldbe taken once it was completed. Police, however, said two men were injuredin the blast.

A first information report FIR under section 174 of the Criminal ProcedureCode CrPC has been registered at Sanand police station. The FIR, however,does not mention the name of the factory8217;s director.

Intriguingly, the factory did not call the fire brigade despite the factthat the blast was huge. Even district superintendent of police Ahmedabadrural J.K. Bhatt was not informed by Sanand police till 8:30 p.m. He cameto know only through a resident of Sanand, who called him on a mobilephone.

The factory management was secretive about the incident. When pressphotographers went to take pictures of the blast, they were chased away bythe factory8217;s staff.