At least seven people were killed and 48 other were injured in fire that was caused after a suspected boiler blast at a chemical factory in Dombivli area of Maharashtra, the officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI.

Seven including two women were killed following the blast that led to a massive fire at a chemical factory, an official said.

According to civic officials, the information regarding the incident was received at around 1:40 pm.

As per the information, the fire after a blast was reported at Amber Chemical Company in M.I.D.C. Phase-02, Sonarpada, Dombivali (East).

The officials said that the information has also been received that many vehicles and many houses were damaged due to the explosion.

The blast was so loud that it could be heard a kilometre away, an eyewitness told the PTI.

The Glass windows of adjoining building suffered cracks as a result of the blast, he added.

Fire and police personnel have reached the spot, the official said, adding efforts are on to bring the blaze under control, the civic body said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took a stock of the situation. 

He wrote on X, “The incident of boiler explosion at chemical company in Dombivli MIDC is tragic. 8 people were rescued from the site. Arrangements have been made to treat the injured and more ambulances have been kept on standby. I have discussed with Collector. Teams of NDRF, TDRF, fire brigade have been called.”

Speaking to reporters in Dombivli, about 40 km from Mumbai, Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant said so far three bodies had been recovered from the site.

“The injured persons have been taken to nearby hospitals. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that their medical expenses will be borne by the government. The exact number of injured persons has not been yet ascertained,” he added, as per the PTI.

The blast was so loud that it was heard a kilometre away, an eyewitness said. Glass windows of adjoining buildings cracked while many houses in the vicinity were damaged.

Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Disaster Management cell of the Thane civic body, said the explosion took place around 1.40 pm. The blaze that followed spread to three adjoining factories, he added.

(with PTI inputs)

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