Latest news with #ChemicalPowder
The Hindu
07-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Toxic blaze triggers night-long explosions at cold storage facility in Sangareddy
A massive fire broke out at the Gubba Cold Storage facility in Annaram village, Jinnaram mandal, Sangareddy district on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). The fire which started at 8.02 p.m. caused multiple explosions that continued until around 3.00 a.m. the next day, officers from the state fire department said. 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.
India Gazette
12-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Indian Coast Guard continues firefighting ops on MV WAN HAI 503 despite adverse sea conditions
Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 12 (ANI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Thursday continued its relentless firefighting efforts aboard MV WAN HAI 503, despite challenging sea conditions. A specialised team comprising one pilot and two aircrew divers was deployed onboard an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter to carry out aerial firefighting operations. During the mission, the team successfully dispersed 1,000 kg of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) directly onto the fire's core. To mitigate environmental risks near the coast, the ICG is maintaining the vessel's position using a towline while closely monitoring the situation. Although the external fire has been extinguished, dense smoke continues to emanate, indicating residual internal heat and possible metallic fire. Firefighting efforts remain ongoing, with all responding assets on high alert to ensure complete containment of the fire. Earlier on Tuesday, the ICG winched five salvage team members and an aircrew diver onto the burning Singaporean container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 to facilitate towing operations. According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, the vessel, which caught fire off the Kerala coast on June 9, continues to drift south-east within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), approximately 42 nautical miles from Beypore, Kerala. The vessel is carrying 1.2 lakh metric tons of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous cargo, posing a serious risk to the marine environment and regional shipping routes. 'Intensive firefighting efforts by ICG have significantly reduced visible flames, with only smoke now seen across the cargo holds and bays. However, the fire remains active in the inner decks and near fuel tanks,' the release stated. 'Five ICG ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are engaged in the ongoing firefighting mission, supported by two vessels from the Directorate General of Shipping. A salvage team appointed by the ship's owners is working in coordination with ICG, and the Indian Air Force has been requested for additional aerial support,' it added. With the fire yet to be fully extinguished, efforts to establish a towline and pull the vessel away from the coast are underway to prevent a potential ecological disaster. The situation remains critical and is being monitored continuously. (ANI)
