Jodhpur chemical factory fire injures 14 firefighters

A major fire and series of explosions at the SR Handicraft factory in the Basni Industrial Area of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, injured 14 firefighters on Wednesday evening. The blaze, which broke out around 5:30 pm, involved drums of flammable chemicals and thinner stored at the facility.

During firefighting efforts, a stone reportedly fell from the factory roof onto a chemical drum, triggering an explosion that caught the crew off guard. Of the 14 injured personnel, eight sustained severe burns covering more than 50 per cent of their bodies and are in serious condition. The injured were initially treated at AIIMS Jodhpur before being transferred to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital for specialized care.

The incident caused significant disruption to the surrounding residential area. Approximately 20 nearby houses were evacuated due to the intense heat, explosions, and a strong chemical odor. Some residents reported cracks in the walls of their homes, and a portion of the factory's concrete roof collapsed during the incident. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and the legality of storing such chemicals in a residential zone.