Kochi: Massive fire breaks out at rubber factory, no casualties reported yet

A massive fire at a rubber factory in Kerala's Kochi broke out on Wednesday afternoon. The factory happens to be a godown of footwear brand Paragon. Several fire tenders have been rushed to the site. So far no casualties have been reported and efforts to douse the fire are underway. 

The cause of the fire is not known yet. The fire broke out in a 5-storey building situated near Ernakulam South Railway station. As soon as after the fire broke out, concerned authorities were quick to evacuate people from the nearby buildings.

It appears to be a massive scale fire as thick smoke was seen coming out from the top floors of the building. Fire-fighters are taking the help of the Navy since they are finding it difficult to control the flames. Reports say that the entire 5-storey building is into flames since rubber products are making it hard for the fire-fighters to control it. 

Kerala: Fire breaks out at a warehouse in Ernakulam. Fire tenders present at the spot. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/Q2ZTVQmHDr

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019

As fire-fighters continue to put their efforts to douse the fire, the metro train work taking place near the building has been stopped while there is no hindrance in the railway movement. Locals say that they have heard small explosions which could have taken place due to the presence of rubber products in the building.