CUNCOLIM/MARGAO: A furnace blast in a steel plant at the Cuncolim industrial estate on Friday left five injured, including two in a serious condition with nearly 80 per cent burns.
The injured are being treated in a private hospital while the Cuncolim police are yet to register an offence. The incident is believed to have taken place following a short circuit after water accidentally entered the electrical furnace, which triggered the blast resulting in the molten metal spilling from the furnace causing grievous injuries to Ganga Singh, 38, Ramchandra Bharti (32), Rajan Singh (30), Amod Singh (47), all from Bihar, and Gulsen Barma (27) from Uttar Pradesh.
Drama unfolded at the factory premises after the security personnel refused to allow fire brigade enter the premises citing that there was no fire. The standoff continued for some time before finally allowing the fire brigade to enter the premises after police intervention.
The Cuncolim police conducted the panchanama. However, no case has been registered so far. Sub-inspector Tukaram Chavan, who visited the site, said that investigation in the case is in progress. Police said that they will record the statements of the injured and others to find out the exact facts.
Fire officials said, “After we received a call, we rushed to the site. However, upon reaching there, the injured were already shifted out of the premises. There was no fire or smoke but we found the furnace had exploded at the base. It was difficult to ascertain the exact cause of the blast.” He said that the factory had the requisite permissions including the fire hydrant but it was not clear what triggered the blasts.