Toxic blaze triggers night-long explosions at cold storage facility in Sangareddy
No casualties or injuries were reported.
The incident comes after about a month since a massive blast tore through Sigachi Industries, located about 38 kilometres away in Sangareddy's Pashamylaram on July 1, killing 45 individuals.
According to fire department officials, the facility uses Emerson Standard Refrigeration Equipment, has six cold storage chambers, each 12 metres high and holding 600 pallets.
'It stores a range of pharmaceutical ingredients and chemicals belonging to different clients. Among the chemicals present at the time of the incident were sodium ethoxide, sodium iodide, potassium tert-butoxide, vitamin A acetate in gelatine, cyclopentyl methyl ether, isopropyl ether, calcium acetate, bupropion hydrochloride, sucroferric oxyhydroxide, (bromomethyl) benzoate, epichlorohydrin, N-(S)-glycidyl phthalimide, cyclohexane, piperazine, N-bromo succinimide and tartaric acid,' informed an officer.
'These substances pose serious health risks, including the potential to cause eye damage, skin and respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and effects on fertility. Given the nature of the fire and the chemicals involved, the company's technical team advised allowing controlled burning through the night. The area was sealed off, and emergency crews were positioned at a safe distance of over 500 metres,' said an officer from the fire department.
By 3 a.m., the intensity and frequency of explosions had reduced. At 3.02 a.m., firefighting teams resumed operations from accessible points. However, a fresh round of explosions at 4.25 a.m. forced another halt. Firefighting resumed again at 4.50 a.m. and continued through the morning.
Twelve fire service vehicles were deployed: bowsers from Patancheru, Madhapur, Secunderabad and Jeedimetla; Multi-Purpose Tenders (MPTs) from Secunderabad, Cantonment, Jubilee Hills, Kukatpally, Sanathnagar and Shameerpet; a water tender from Narsapur; and a Dry Chemical Powder (DCP)tender from Jeedimetla. 'These vehicles carried dry chemical powder and carbon dioxide cylinders, as water alone is ineffective against such fires. Suitable extinguishing materials included dry chemical, soda ash, lime, dry sand, and alcohol-resistant foam,' added the officer.
By 6 a.m., two earthmovers were deployed to remove collapsed steel frames and truss sheets, giving access for more vehicles to operate. At 7 a.m., debris around an adjacent RCC building was cleared, allowing a DCP tender and other units to reach the fire zone. One team was also deployed on the terrace of the building to attack the fire from above.
As of 8 a.m., the blaze had been largely contained. Three vehicles remain on site, one working from the north side and two from the south. While the main fire has been brought under control, small and isolated flames are still visible at two locations.
Efforts are ongoing. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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