Mumbai, December 29
A fire broke out today in a chemistry lab at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) located just a kilometre away from the nuclear reactors leaving two persons dead but scientists said there was no danger of any radioactivity.
Scientists at suburban Trombay-based BARC said there was a loud bang in the lab after which black smoke billowed out. It was not immediately clear if the bang was caused by any explosion or triggered by a chemical reaction.
No research involving radioactive material is conducted in the multi-storeyed modular lab in which the chemistry lab was housed, they said.
It was also stated that no reactor, radioactivity or radiation is involved in the accident.
The victims were yet to be identified as the bodies are charred beyond recognition, a BARC release said. But sources said they could be trainee scientists. Some equipments were also damaged in the blaze, scientists said.
“The fire broke out at 1205 hours in the Chemistry lab on the third floor of the Modular lab of BARC. There was a loud bang after which black smoke billowed out of the chemistry lab filling the corridor,” BARC director and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Sreekumar Banerjee said.
BARC fire brigade officials rushed to the spot and doused the blaze within 45 minutes after.
— PTI
