A blast at a chemical factory in Attibele, South Bengaluru, on Friday injured three workers and panicked local residents, many of whom complained of breathing difficulties. The smoke spread to areas as far as two kilometres, according to locals.
The injured have been identified as Surya Naad, 27, of Assam, Gnanavel, 22, of Hosur, and Munegowda, 30, of Anekal. They are undergoing treatment at a hospital, police said quoting doctors.
The blast occurred in one of the vessels in Lake Chemicals Pvt Ltd located in the industrial area. The incident was reported to the fire brigade around 1.20 pm by a woman named Priyanka. Thirteen firemen from Electronics City and Anekal fire stations, headed by District Fire Officer (DFO) Electronics City, P M Nagesh, rushed to the spot in a water bowser and a mini water tank. The fire was doused by 2.25 pm, an official said.
Initially, it was suspected that the blast was in a boiler, but officials traced it to a 6X6 feet vessel upon reaching the spot. The factory management explained that the vessel was used to mix the chemicals and make solid components used in the production of medicines. Chemicals like methanol, chloric acid and other chemicals are mixed in it.
While some local people claimed they had difficulty in breathing because of the smoke, both fire and police officers denied it.
A senior officer explained that when water is sprayed on some chemicals, a fog-like vapour is formed in the air. And it was this substance that spread into the surrounding areas. There were around six more vessels in the factory but none was damaged.
Attibele police have taken up the case. Officials from the Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety and Health, Forensic Science Laboratory and others visited the site and took samples.