A massive fire breaks out in a perfume factory in the Baddi area of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh on Friday (February 2) in which one person died while 31 others sustained injuries. A woman was brought dead to PGIMER in Chandigarh. Teams of NDRF and Fire Department were rushed to the spot soon after the fire broke out and engaged in the operation to rescue affected persons and douse fire. A total of 41 people have been rescued so far, officials said.
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) issued a statement giving status of the victims of the Baddi factory fire admitted in PGIMER.
What did the hospital say?
"In the evening hours of February 2, five patients reported to the Advanced Trauma Centre, PGIMER. These patients have been reported to be victims of the fire incident in the Baddi factory. Out of five patients, one victim has been reported brought dead," it said.
"The four namely Charan Singh (22), Prem Kumari (27), Aarti (25) and Geeta (25), all residents of Baddi in the Solan district, have suffered spine/head injuries along with minor burns. All these patients are stable and required work up and treatment is being provided," PGIMER's medical superintendent and official spokesperson Vipin Koushal said, as per the PGIMER statement.
Onkar Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Disaster Management and Revenue Department, told ANI that injured people have been admitted to different hospitals.
"The NDRF team has reached the spot, and Army fire tenders from Chandi mandir will reach it shortly. The information is not concrete as yet; there were nearly 60 people inside the perfume factory when the fire broke out," he said.
"41 people have been rescued, out of whom 32 are injured. They have been admitted to different hospitals. The remaining people are being rescued. We do not have exact details on how many people are still inside. They will be rescued," officials said.
12 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and started operations to bring the blaze under control.
Himachal Pradesh Health Minister assures action
Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said that the dousing operation will continue throughout the night.
"One death has been confirmed so far and nine people are missing. The dousing operation will continue throughout the night and we will get more details in the morning. Action will be taken against the people responsible..." he said.
Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kundu said "This is a perfume factory and there are chemicals and ethyl alcohol used in the factory because of which it has been difficult to control the fire. Our priority is to take the injured to the hospital. Actions will be taken after the relief and rescue work is done. Firefighters, NDRF and SDRF are working to control the fire..."
(With inputs from agencies)
