Kochi: A paint manufacturing company functioning at the KINFRA Industrial Park at Kalamaserry was gutted when a fire erupted on Sunday morning.
There was no causality other than two fire and rescue safety officials suffering minor burn injuries while trying to bring the blaze under control.
The fire was noticed around 9 am at TAG Chemicals engaged in the manufacture of thinner and other chemicals used for mixing paints. As thick black smoke and a very pungent smell enveloped the area, the local people rushed out in panic and gathered near the place. The local people also informed the fire and rescue department.
Fire and rescue personnel from Eloor, Thrikkakkara, Gandhi Nagar and Pattimattom reached the spot and brought the blaze under control after one and half hours. Kalamasserry circle inspector S Jayakrishnan, Fire and Rescue department officials Ramakrishnan, Jude Thadevoos, municipal councilors VS Aboobacker and Abdul Salam led the operations.
A tense situation prevailed for quite sometime as a section of the local people alleged that the manufacturing unit was functioning without proper safety protocols.
Heated exchanges took place between the local people and the promoters of the manufacturing unit. Short-circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire, according to the preliminary assessment.
