20151209 India Diva chokes as smoke spreads after chemicals catch fire
India Dec 09 2015 “Other”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Diva chokes as smoke spreads after chemicals catch fire
Updated: 2015-12-09-23:38
Panci gripped residents of Diva as the area was engulfed in dense smoke. Fearing that it was a gas leak, nearly 100 residents were evacuated from their homes by a rescue team. Thoughts of the Bhopal tragedy flooded everyones mind.
During investigations, it was learnt that some miscreats had made a futile attempt to empty four drums filled with chemicals like touluene and xylene in a a huge pit that was dug near the TMC dumping ground in Davle village. The pit was already filled with some other chemical. The mixture of all these chemicals lead to a flare up. Afraid of being caught, the accused fled from the scene, leaving behind nearly 10,000 litres of chemicals in 54 drums.
The fire officials were called to the spot to in order to avert a disaster from taking place. The disaster management team and fire officials reached the spot and control the situation. ”We took stock of the situation and doused the flames using foam and water. The situation could have got worse had the drums containing the chemicals had to catch fire,” said Santosh Kadam, an official from the TMC’s disaster management cell.
The TMC said the area where the chemical was dumped was a private land and not used by the civic body to dumping garbage. “The drums were filled with industrial chemicals. We found 58 drums containing the chemicals at the spot,” said deputy TMC chief Ashok Burpulle.
Meanwhile, villagers and activists have alleged it to be the handiwork of the mafia along with the help of police and civc officials. Many residents claim that they faced breathing problems and itching of the eye due to the smoke.
A protest was staged by residents on Wednesday, demanding appropriate action against those guilty. A case has been registered by the Mumbra police. The drums have been sent to an industrial waste management company in Taloja. Further investigations are on.
Web Source: TIMES OF INDIA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/Diva-chokes-as-smoke-spreads-after-chemicals-catch-fire/articleshow/50112533.cms