Transformer containing oil catches fire at steel firm in Mundhwa; fire brigade says blast averted
Transformer containing oil catches fire at steel firm in Mundhwa; fire brigade says blast averted
Two days after a fire was reported at Cummins Sales and Services Ltd, the city witnessed another massive fire at Kalyani Carpenter Special Steels Ltd, Mundhwa, when a 11,000 kilovolts transformer caught fire around 8 am yesterday.
About 12,000 litres of oil kept in the transformer caught fire, and the flames as high as 40 to 50 feet could be seen even from a distance. Prompt action by the fire brigade ensured a major tragedy was averted.
Ramesh Gamgad, a fire brigade official, said: "If we had reached late, then there would have been a major blast. The intensity was so much that we had to call four fire engines and two tankers, which constantly jetted foam to control the towering flames blazing the transformer containing thousands of litres of oil. With coordinated efforts and ample supply of hydrant from the company, we were able to control the fire within half an hour."
Explaining the cause of fire, he said: "The fire broke out because of short circuit. The transformer at Steel Melting Shop on the fourth floor caught fire."
He said the intensity of the fire was so much that if there had been a blast, a major tragedy would have occurred.
This was the second time that media were denied access to a fire site. When fire broke out at Cummins Sales and Services, Erandawane on Tuesday, the security guards had manhandled the photographers when they tried to go inside the company.
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