3 Factories Damaged in Massive Fire in Gwalior

Gwalior: At least three factories including a cardboard and illegal plastic unit were damaged after a massive fire broke out on Wednesday, in the Gadhaipura area.

Deputy Commissioner of the Gwalior Municipal Corporation, Atibal Singh Yadav said that as many as 32 fire tenders were sent to the site to extinguish the fire.

"Upon receiving information about the fire on Wednesday morning, we immediately dispatched the fire tenders to the spot. About 32 vehicles were engaged in extinguishing the fire, and it is now under control. The factory stored raw materials for plastic production, and plastic brought in by scrap dealers was kept in the warehouse," Yadav told ANI.

The official further added that due to its location in a residential area, residents nearby also suffered as the fire spread to their houses, filling them with smoke. They were rescued by breaking windows

"If this had happened around midnight, it is quite possible that the residents could have fainted, leading to a major accident. The factory operator is currently engaged in extinguishing the fire. Money kept in the factory's cash box has also been burnt. Since the factory is illegal, it is possible that it does not even have a license. Whatever legal action is required will be taken. As of now, there is no loss of life, only damage to goods," the official said.

According to the preliminary investigations revealed that the area where the fire started did not have any electricity connection, ruling out an electrical spark as the cause of the fire.

However, officials now suspect that five employees could be responsible for the fire as those who were sleeping inside the unit might have smoked and discarded cigarette butts, which led to he fire breaking out gradually.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation and officials are looking into it. 

(Inputs from ANI)