Patna: A major fire ripped through a plastic manufacturing unit on the outskirts of Patna early on Saturday, destroying the factory and causing losses estimated to run into millions of rupees. Officials said the blaze was triggered by a short circuit.
The fire broke out at a plastic factory near National Highway 30 in the Karmalichak area, which falls under the Bypass police station limits of Patna City. Emergency services were alerted in the early hours of the morning, following which at least 12 fire engines were rushed to the spot.
The factory was operating from the third floor of a building, complicating firefighting efforts. As the flames spread rapidly, a hydraulic firefighting team was deployed to tackle the blaze from above. After several hours, firefighters managed to bring the fire under control.
Residents in nearby areas said thick black smoke from burning plastic could be seen from a considerable distance, triggering panic and prompting people to move away from the site.
Sub-divisional officer Satyam Sahay, who visited the scene, said preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. “There were no reports of injuries or casualties,” he said, adding that further action would be taken once the fire was fully extinguished.
According to locals, the unit — Vishwakarma Industries — had been operating in the building for several years, manufacturing plastic chairs and other items using plastic granules. Himanshu Raj, who runs a dhaba nearby, said the intensity of the flames was such that the factory was completely gutted.
Fire officials said around 10 to 12 workers were employed at the factory and all of them managed to escape safely. However, the fire spread to the lower floors of the building, including the first floor and the ground floor, causing additional damage.
Fire officer Gyananand Singh said the fire service received information at around 5am and teams were dispatched immediately. “The exact extent of the losses will be assessed once a detailed inspection is carried out,” he said.
