2 killed in Ambala distillery fire

Two persons were charred to death and six sustained severe burns in a fire that broke out in a distillery at Ambala on Wednesday. NV Distilleries,located at Badholi village,around 30 km from Ambala,belongs to Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil8217;s son Shailesh Patil and daughter-in-law Archana Patil.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by the fire department in Ambala,a short-circuit led to a blast in a boiler around 12.30 pm and around 6 lakh litres of spirit,stored in four huge tanks,caught fire,engulfing the factory premises. The Army has been called to douse the flames. The fire in two out of the four tanks was still raging till the filing of this report. Initial reports suggest losses could run into several crores of rupees.

The plant is located on the Kalpi-Naraingarh road,near Naraingarh in Ambala district. Soon after the fire was reported,fire tenders were rushed to the spot from Ambala,Panchkula,Yamunanagar,Naraingarh and Shahbad Narkanda.

Ambala Deputy Commissioner S P Srow confirmed the death of two persons. Both bodies were beyond recognition,he said.