Fire in Nellore chemical unit just days after Vizag gas leak triggers panic

In the backdrop of the styrene gas leak in Visakhapatanam, a minor fire in a Nellore chemical unit triggered panic among villagers. However, fire tenders were rushed to spot and flames were doused in a couple of hours.

Nellore: Just days after the styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam, a fire reportedly broke out in a chemical godown in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, late on Sunday night, causing panic among the villagers. According to reports, an electric transformer exploded causing the mishap.

Fire tenders were rushed to spot and flames were doused in a couple of hours. The incident was a cause of worry because many chemicals including Hydrogen peroxide is stored in the godown.

The local residents were evacuated to safety on the heels of the incident and state minister of water resources Anil Kumar Yadav visited the site to allay the fears of the residents. As of now, the situation remains in control.

The incident comes in the backdrop of a major leak from a Vizag polymer plant, that impacted villages in a five-km radius, leaving 12 people dead and scores of citizens suffering from breathlessness and other problems.

The dead included a child while scores of policemen who rushed to evacuate affected persons also were impacted by the leak of styrene vapour from the LG Polymers Limited plant at R R Venkatapuram village under Gopalapatnam limits.

Tragically, two of the victims met with their end after falling into a borewell while fleeing their affected village and their bodies were found later in the day.

The daybreak saw some grim scenes as visibly suffering people were being rushed for medical assistance in autos and two-wheelers while government workers tried to assist them with whatever first aid possible.