A devastating fire broke out at a chemical factory in Greater Noida’s Badalpur area early on Sunday, following an explosion that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The fire, which ravaged a significant portion of the Shri Banke Bihari Chemical Plant, prompted a massive firefighting operation with thirty-two fire tenders deployed to the site to combat the blaze.

The fire erupted at the Shri Banke Bihari Chemical Plant, located on Dujana Road in the Badalpur police station area. The plant, which specializes in the import and export of various chemicals and essential oils, is spread across a vast area. Initial reports suggest that the blaze may have been triggered by a short circuit, which quickly escalated due to the highly flammable nature of the chemicals stored within the facility.

Fire officials reported that despite the challenges posed by the fire’s rapid spread and the detonation of chemical containers, efforts to control the flames were successful after a prolonged battle. It took over ten hours to fully extinguish the blaze, thanks to the collaboration between fire teams from Gautam Budh Nagar, NTPC, Delhi, Hapur, and Ghaziabad.

In terms of damage, the fire has caused significant losses. A large portion of the factory was destroyed, though firefighters managed to save about two-thirds of the facility. The explosion and ensuing fire resulted in substantial destruction of chemical stocks and equipment, leading to a financial blow for the factory’s operations. However, no casualties were reported, and fortunately, no workers were trapped inside. The fire department also rescued several cattle from the premises using heavy machinery such as JCB and Hydra.

The rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by the volatile chemicals housed in the factory, which ignited and caused several explosions, making it difficult for the fire department to gain control. According to officials, the fire was first reported around 3:30 a.m. when a worker alerted the fire department. Within minutes, local fire tenders were dispatched, but the fire’s intensity required additional support from surrounding areas.

While the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, early assessments suggest that the factory’s chemical storage posed a major challenge in controlling the fire. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety protocols at chemical plants, particularly those handling hazardous materials.

The local police and fire authorities are continuing their investigation, and efforts are underway to assess the full scale of the damage and potential environmental impact. The incident underscores the need for stringent safety measures and regular inspections in chemical manufacturing plants to prevent such disasters in the future.