Indore: Fire breaks out at chemical factory on Sanwer Road; over 100 tankers battle blaze

INDORE: A massive fire broke out late Monday night at a colour manufacturing factory in the industrial area of Sanwer Road, triggering a series of loud explosions that caused panic across the locality. Fire tenders from Lakshmibai Nagar and Sanwer Road rushed to the spot soon after receiving the alert and began efforts to douse the flames, which continued well into the early hours of Tuesday.

According to fire officials, the blaze was reported around 3 am at MPD Industries, a factory involved in the production of colour and oil paints using various chemicals. The chemicals stored inside the unit caused repeated explosions as the fire spread rapidly.

The intensity of the flames made firefighting operations extremely difficult, forcing the civic body to deploy JCB machines to break open adjoining walls for easier access. More than 100 water tankers were used in the operation. Over 13 fire tenders from Indore, Depalpur, Betma, Mhow, Pithampur, and Sanwer were pressed into service. SDERF teams also joined the rescue efforts, while five additional foam tenders were called in from Pithampur to contain the chemical-fuelled fire.

Officials from the police and district administration remained at the site through the night to oversee operations. DSP Umakant Choudhary said the factory primarily manufactured oil paints, and despite the intensity of the fire, firefighters managed to bring the situation under control by around 4.30 am. Large quantities of raw materials and chemicals were completely gutted in the incident. Even hours after the blaze was brought under control, smoke continued to rise from some sections of the factory, keeping firefighters on alert to prevent possible reignition.