What Caused the Tragic Fire That Claimed Two Lives in Indore?
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tragic fire
 - Fire fueled by thinner, a highly flammable chemical.
 - Swift response from the fire brigade took over an hour to control.
 - Investigation underway to determine cause and accountability.
 - Local residents reported chaos and panic during the incident.
 
Indore, Nov 1 (NationPress) A devastating incident unfolded in Indore on Saturday evening as a significant fire erupted in a chemical storage facility situated in an industrial zone under the Rau police jurisdiction, leading to the tragic loss of two women's lives and injuries to another.
The fire ignited around dusk, primarily fueled by substantial quantities of thinner, a volatile solvent frequently utilized in the paint and chemical sectors, that was stored on-site.
As per police reports, the fire brigade acted quickly; however, it took approximately one and a half hours to subdue the fire due to its ferocity and the presence of hazardous chemicals.
Dense smoke and perilous conditions greatly complicated the rescue efforts. After the flames were extinguished, emergency responders searched through the charred debris of the godown and discovered the bodies of two women trapped inside.
The victims were identified as Ramkali (50) and Jyoti Neem (34). A third individual, Suraj Bhagnani (34), suffered burns on both hands and was taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1 (Indore) Krishna Lalchandani informed IANS that the victims might have been performing an Ekadashi puja by lighting an earthen lamp near the stored thinner when the fire erupted.
“The materials ignited, resulting in the catastrophic fire that claimed two lives,” he stated.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the premises were leased by an individual named Bhaiyalal Mukati. While this site is commonly referred to as a factory, police are still determining whether it operated as a manufacturing unit or was solely a storage godown.
Authorities are currently investigating whether the facility possessed the required licenses to store such hazardous materials and whether any negligence contributed to the incident.
Local residents reported hearing loud explosions and saw thick smoke billowing from the site, which triggered panic amongst nearby inhabitants. As a precaution, several adjacent units were evacuated, and thankfully, no further injuries were reported.
Officials have committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation to establish accountability and avert future occurrences.