9 teams used to control Mehsana dairy fire

A major fire in Dudhsagar Dairy -one of the thirteen member unions of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which markets AMUL, ended up killing six and injuring 25. The fire is believed to have happened due to a leakage in a gas pipe.

The gas caught fire allegedly due to the welding work in the nearby area. The fire led to a blast in the boiler of the cold storage department.

Five people were killed in the incident. Fire brigade teams from Mehsana, Patan, Visnagar, Vijapur, Deesa, Mehsana ONGC, Unjha APMC and two teams from Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services were deployed to control the fire.

Chairman, Mehsana District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd, Vipul Chaudhary said the rescue operations were conducted on time.

He said that the incident will not impact the flow of milk to the cities of the state. Sources also said that thousands of kg of milk powder, butter and cheese were ruined due to the fire.  The 108 ambulance service was also pressed into service.

Talking to DNA on phone, police sub inspector, Mehsana 'B' division police station, SJ Desai said the statements of 16 people have been recorded. "They were unloading a truck when the incident happened," he said.

He said those working in the cold storage department were seriously injured. "Some of them are very critical,” he said.