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| Villagers look on as the fire breaks out on the DRDO premises in Chandipur on Monday. Telegraph pictures |
Balasore, April 29: A major fire today broke out in an explosive storehouse on the Defence Research and Development Organisation premises in Chandipur, triggering panic among authorities and residents of surrounding villages.
The fire broke out at the magazine complex of Proof and Experimental Establishment, one of oldest units of the organisation.
“We heard a series of explosions around 3.30am and found thick black and white smoke billowing out of the building,” Sonapur village sarpanch Purnima Jena said.
The incident took place between 3am and 3.30am on Monday. “A security guard noticed the smoke emanating from the building. Then he alerted other security officers and duty officers,” said complex director R. Appavuraj.
He said local resources were pressed into service to control the fire. The propelling unit was affected.
Appavuraj ruled out electricity having caused the fire.
“No electric supply is provided to these kind of explosive storehouses and there was no evidence of occurrence of fire by dry leaves. The reason could be something else. An expert team of headquarters will probe into the mishap,” he said.
About 50 persons were engaged to bring the situation under control. The materials at the store were gutted, but no casualty or any kind of injury was reported. Fire fighters brought the fire under control after three hours. Apart from the complex’s own fire-fighting equipment, fire tenders of the Integrated Test Range and fire station headquarters were also deployed.
Following the mishap, the site has been sealed.
Station fire officer Suryamani Nayak said: “Since we didn’t find any electric short circuit, the heat could have caused the fire.”
Sub-divisional police officer Kaliash Chandra Parida said: “Since the fire broke out inside the defence establishment, which is prohibited and under the high security zone, we have little scope to know the reason.”
Chandipur houses a group of defence establishments, including the Integrated Test Range, near the complex. Sources said two more fire tenders from Balasore were sent to the mishap site in the evening, as the fire was not completely extinguished.
The unit had been carrying out proof testing of Arjun ammunition, T-72 ammunition, 150mm ERFB ammunition, 155mm illuminating ammunition, 130mm high explosive and other missiles.
It had played a pivotal role in the research and development of major armaments developed by the organisation.
The fuse, cartridge, shell and propellant of the unit are stored in various buildings, under strict fire safety guidelines.
On November 4, 2009, one person died and three others were injured after a 130mm cannon went off accidentally during a trial run.