One dead, 9 missing in Barotiwala factory fire

Ambika Sharma

Solan, February 2

A woman was killed while nine other workers are learnt to be missing after a massive fire broke out in a perfume-manufacturing factory at Jharmajri area of Solan district’s Barotiwala around 2 pm today.

According to information, about 50 workers were on duty in the factory, Aroma Aromatics and Flavours, when the mishap occurred. The exact number, however, could not be ascertained till late evening as the blaze could not be fully controlled and a search was yet to be undertaken inside the factory, said an official. A team of the National Disaster Response Force from Nalagarh rushed to the spot while over 10 fire tenders were requisitioned from neighbouring Panchkula, Pinjore, Kalka and Army’s Chandimandir cantonment.

Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma, who reached the spot, said, “People jumped off the building’s first and second floors to save their lives and sustained multiple injuries on hands, legs and spine. Some ran away to their homes and their details are being verified while several others are missing.” He said a team of forensic experts would ascertain the cause of the blaze.

Baddi SP Ilma Afroz said a culpable homicide case had been registered against the unit management. It is yet to be ascertained if the factory had a valid fire certification.

The fire assumed alarming proportions within no time due to the presence of inflammable chemicals all around the factory. Massive plumes of black smoke rose amid a spree of blasts, which made fire-fighting difficult, an official said, adding adjacent buildings were vacated and the area was cordoned off.

Workers Kusum, Asha and Savitri said they broke open the gate and jumped off the second floor after the flames rose from the ground floor. They said panic-stricken workers jumped into an adjoining nullah and sustained multiple fractures. Five workers, including three with grievous spinal injuries, were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, where one of the women was declared brought dead. Twentyone workers were admitted to Brooklyn hospital at Baddi and nine others to the ESI hospital at Katha.

Savitri, admitted to the ESI hospital, said, “The duty supervisor helped several women get out of the building.”