Mandi Gobindgarh: A massive explosion rocked a scrap warehouse in Mandi Gobindgarh, an industrial town in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district, on Thursday night. The incident occurred while cutting an old tar-filled tanker with a gas cutter at the Bhalla Engineers warehouse on Amloh Road. Warehouse owner Daljit Kumar Bhalla, alias DK Bhalla, died on the spot, while four workers, including a woman, were seriously burned.
According to reports, work was underway to cut an old tanker purchased at the warehouse. Initially, it is suspected that the explosion was caused by gas stored inside the tanker. The explosion was so powerful that it was heard far and wide. A fire also spread through the warehouse after the explosion.
Warehouse owner was filming the cutting of the tanker
It is reported that DK Bhalla was filming the cutting process at the time of the accident. Meanwhile, a sudden explosion engulfed them, killing them instantly. Workers working nearby were also scorched by the hot tar and fire.
The injured were identified as Barjesh (32), Dashrath Yadav, son of Joginder Yadav, Poonam Devi, wife of Dashrath Yadav, and Inder Kumar, son of Ramrasile. All the injured were initially taken to Civil Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh. Given their critical condition, doctors referred them to Chandigarh and Patiala. Barjesh’s condition is said to be critical.
Fire Department Brings Fire Under Control
Fire department teams arrived at the scene upon receiving information about the accident and, after considerable effort, brought the fire under control. This incident has raised serious questions about the handling and safety of flammable materials in scrap warehouses.
According to a doctor at Civil Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh, a total of five people were brought to the hospital after the accident, one of whom has died. Another injured person was referred to Chandigarh due to his critical condition, while three workers, including a woman, were sent to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.
The warehouse did not have a fire NOC.
Fire department officials stated that the scrap warehouse in question did not have a fire NOC. The department will investigate the matter and take further action as per regulations. Following the incident, questions have also been raised about the fire safety arrangements in warehouses in the industrial area.