A significant fire erupted at a chocolate factory in Indore on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in injuries to three workers and the complete collapse of the structure. The incident sent plumes of smoke over the Lasudia area and triggered a large-scale emergency response.
Panic and Explosion at the Factory
The blaze began around 1 pm at the facility, locally known as the Kemco Chocolate Factory, located near MR 11 in the Lasudia Mori area. The fire reportedly originated in the rear section of the premises, causing immediate panic among local residents. As the fire intensified, a powerful explosion rocked the building, leading to its total collapse into a heap of debris.
Authorities confirmed that three employees sustained injuries while attempting to escape the rapidly spreading flames. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident. The factory had not been operational for the past few days, with routine production already halted.
Two-Hour Battle to Control the Blaze
Multiple fire tenders and police teams rushed to the spot shortly after the fire call was received. Lasudia police station in-charge Taresh Soni stated that fire brigade teams were immediately alerted and launched a coordinated operation. Firefighters engaged in a strenuous battle for nearly two hours before finally bringing the raging fire under control.
Throughout the operation, thick clouds of smoke drifted over the surrounding neighborhood. A large crowd of residents gathered near the site but was kept at a safe distance by authorities to facilitate rescue and cooling operations and prevent any secondary incidents. By the time the flames were doused, only scattered rubble remained of the building.
Dilapidated Building and Legal Dispute
Officials revealed a critical detail about the factory's condition: the building housing the unit had been previously declared dilapidated. Furthermore, the property is currently entangled in an ongoing court dispute. Despite the factory's non-operational status, the fire caused extensive damage to the already compromised structure.
The cause of the sudden blaze is still under assessment by the investigating teams. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols in industrial units, especially those housed in structurally weak buildings.
