Explosion during firefighting at Ganesh Nagar workshop injures 14 personnel
Jodhpur, Sep 23 — A fire that erupted at a handicraft factory in Ganesh Nagar on Wednesday evening led to multiple explosions and left 14 fire department personnel injured, officials said. The blaze began at about 5.30 pm and was exacerbated by drums of flammable chemicals and thinner stored inside the locked premises, making containment operations hazardous.
Ten fire tenders from various stations rushed to the scene and a team of approximately 35 firefighters was deployed to douse the flames, said Jodhpur Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer Jalaj Ghasia. During the operation, a stone reportedly fell from the factory roof onto a chemical drum, causing an explosion that injured several personnel.
- Time of incident: Around 5.30 pm
- Location: Handicraft factory, Ganesh Nagar area, Jodhpur
- Response: 10 fire tenders; about 35 firefighters
- Casualties: 14 firefighters injured; 2 discharged after initial treatment; 12 referred to hospital
The injured were initially taken to AIIMS Jodhpur, where two received primary treatment and were discharged. As AIIMS does not have a dedicated burn unit, the remaining 12 were provided stabilising care and referred to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital for specialised burn treatment. Jodhpur Police Commissioner Anshuman Bhomia said of those transferred to MG Hospital, eight sustained burns over 50 per cent of their bodies and were in serious condition.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Fire tenders deployed | 10 |
| Fire personnel on scene | ~35 |
| Firefighters injured | 14 |
| Referred to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital | 12 |
Hazardous storage, residential setting raise questions
Officials said the factory was operating in a residential neighbourhood and that flammable chemicals and thinner were being used at the unit. Repeated explosions from chemical drums hampered firefighting efforts and increased the risk to both emergency responders and nearby residents. Authorities evacuated households in the vicinity as a precaution and are examining whether the premises had permission to store such materials.
Police Commissioner Bhomia confirmed an investigation has been launched to determine the ownership of the factory and whether proper approvals and safety measures were in place for storing highly flammable chemicals. The sequence of explosions is reported to have been initiated when a stone fell from the roof onto a drum, but the probe will also examine compliance with storage norms and building use in the locality.
The incident has prompted questions about industrial activity and chemical storage in mixed residential areas of the city. Local administrations and emergency departments often face challenges when small-scale manufacturing units operate inside densely inhabited pockets, where narrow lanes and proximity to homes complicate evacuation and firefighting.
Immediate aftermath and medical response
Doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur provided initial care to the injured before arranging transfers for specialised burn treatment. Mahatma Gandhi Hospital received the referred patients for advanced burn management. The condition of several firefighters remains serious, according to the police statement, and further updates on their treatment and prognosis are awaited from hospital authorities.
Municipal and police investigators will review building records and any licences related to the unit. If irregular storage or unauthorised industrial activity is established, authorities may proceed with legal action against the operators of the factory and enforce remedial measures to prevent recurrence.
The incident underlines the risks faced by emergency responders in the state, particularly when tackling fires involving chemical substances. Municipal officials said the case will be used to review preparedness and protocols for handling similar hazards in residential parts of the city.
Further details, including the identity of the unit owners and the full scale of structural damage to surrounding houses, remain subject to the ongoing police and municipal enquiries.
