Thane: Fire breaks out at spice factory; none hurt

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A fire broke out at a spice factory on Thane-Belapur road in Maharashtra on Monday afternoon, a civic official told news agency PTI.

No casualties were reported in the blaze that erupted at the spice manufacturing unit at Khairne MIDC around 3 pm, chief of the disaster management cell of TMC Yasin Tadvi told PTI.

Three fire engines have been pressed into service and the fire fighting operations are underway, the official told PTI, adding that the cause for the blaze is yet to be ascertained.

Earlier, a major fire broke out in Pimpri Chinchwad city's Tathawade area on Sunday night after multiple LPG cylinders exploded, triggering a panic among local people, according to fire officials, reported PTI.

Police and officials of the fire department said it is suspected that LPG was being illegally filled into the cylinders from a tanker. Following the explosion, a couple of buses belonging to a nearby college also caught fire, they said, reported PTI.

The incident occurred around 10:30 pm and preliminary information suggests that four to five LPG cylinders exploded, the officials said, reported PTI.

The tanker containing the LPG, however, remained unaffected, they added.

An official from the Pimpri Chinchwad fire department said fire tenders and water tankers were promptly dispatched to the scene and they successfully brought the fire under control, reported PTI.

He added that the loud explosions triggered a panic among the locals.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 for every family living in a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) building in Mumbai which caught fire two days back.

Residents of the building, located in Mumbai's Goregaon area, met CM Shinde on Saturday.

Seven people, including two minors, were killed and more than 60 people injured after a fire swept through the Jay Bhavani building in the early hours of Friday.

Shinde announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 for every family living in the building, an official statement said.

He also directed officials that SRA buildings should have iron stairs as emergency exit.

The medical expenses of the injured persons seeking treatment in private hospitals will be paid by the Chief Minister Medical Assistance Cell, the statement said.

Shinde also directed officials to conduct structural and fire audits of the building, and give it a facelift.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner directed officials to start water supply to the building immediately.

On Friday, Shinde announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of each of the deceased.

(With inputs from PTI)