Two workers were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Dakshin Energy, a company that manufactures plastic Pyrolysis oil in Parawada Pharma City of Anakapalli district, early on Tuesday morning.
The deceased, who hailed from Atchutapura, was identified as Vepada Venkatesh and Trinath.
According to reports, the fire erupted after a tank exploded in the early hours of Tuesday during the process of recycling plastic waste into oil at the company’s facility in the JNBC industrial park near Pharma city.
The large quantities of plastic at the unit are believed to have helped the rapid spread of the blaze.
The exact cause of the explosion is not known yet.
Fire tenders rushed to the spot to put out the flames, and the injured were shifted to a hospital.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief in a statement over the incident. He also directed officials to extend all help to the victims and their families. An investigation is on.
Workers at the site said that two people died while two others remained trapped at the site after the fire broke out.
The other workers managed to escape.
Authorities said that the extent of casualties can only be determined after the fire is brought under control.
Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan monitored the situation and directed officials concerned to take necessary measures to contain the fire and prevent its spread to nearby industrial units.
G. Satyanarayana, the leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Union, expressed concern over the recurring accident in Pharma City.
He said that despite repeated assurances from the government about safety, accidents continue to occur in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing units.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said that an immediate safety audit should be carried out in the units in the industrial areas around Vishakapatnam.
