One killed, 10 hurt in Ankleshwar firm blast

An FIR was lodged against the company management under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), though no arrests have been made so far in this connection, Ankleshwar GIDC police said.

While the company officials could not be contacted for reaction, the officials of the Bharuch Industrial Safety and Health department said the blast occurred at a plant numbered C, as early as five in the morning. The hexane distillation plant developed some problem due to which the blast occurred and fire was caused. The fire might have been caused due to faulty chemical reaction, they said.

“We are yet to get the details of the actual cause of the blast, but primary investigation shows that a fire was caused in one of the hexane distillation plants of the chemical company that left one dead and as many as ten injured with severe burns. The factory runs in three shifts and we are not in a position to say as to how many workers were engaged during the time of the blast. Further investigation is on,” deputy director of Industry Safety and Health department, D K Dave said.