Jodhpur, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Fourteen firefighters sustained burn injuries, including four who are in critical condition, after chemical-filled drums exploded during a nearly 12-hour operation to douse a major fire at a handicraft factory in Jodhpur’s Basni area.
Three of the critically injured firefighters are on ventilator support, while two factory employees also suffered burns over nearly 90 per cent of their bodies. All 14 injured firefighters are undergoing treatment at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, where a separate ICU has been arranged.
The fire broke out around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the factory in Ganesh Nagar Shramik Colony. Firefighters were battling the blaze when a stone reportedly fell from the factory roof onto a drum containing phenol, triggering a powerful explosion. Several other drums also exploded as the firefighting operation continued.
The blaze was brought under control around 5 a.m. Thursday after nearly 12 hours of firefighting. It reignited around 7 a.m., prompting fire brigade personnel to return to the site. The flames were brought under control again, although smoke continued to emerge from the premises until around 11 a.m.
According to officials, burning chemicals were thrown up to around 300 metres during the explosions, injuring firefighters working near the drums. Around 35 firefighters were involved in the operation, with 10 fire tenders deployed from different stations.
Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer Jalaj Ghasia said the presence of chemical-filled drums and thinners inside the factory made the operation particularly difficult. Because ambulances were not available at the site, injured firefighters were initially taken to AIIMS Jodhpur in fire brigade vehicles and pickup trucks.
After receiving initial treatment at AIIMS, the injured firefighters were shifted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital as AIIMS did not have a dedicated burn unit. An Indian Air Force fire brigade team was also called in after 11 p.m. Wednesday as the intensity of the fire remained high.
Police Commissioner Anshuman Bhomia said flammable chemicals and thinners were being used at the handicraft factory. Basni SHO Nitin Dave said police had registered a case based on a complaint filed by the Chief Fire Officer and were making efforts to summon factory owner Rajendra Agrawal for questioning.
A Municipal Corporation team has begun examining the factory’s operations and has requisitioned its documents. Officials are looking into how chemicals were stored and whether the factory was operating in accordance with safety requirements.
Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi visited the site on Thursday and said the operation of such a factory in a residential area posed a challenge for the Rajasthan administration. He said he would take up the matter with the administration and seek a survey of the area to help prevent similar incidents.
Residents of the workers’ colony have also raised concerns about the factory’s operation. One resident claimed that complaints about the issue had previously been made but no action was taken.
The ongoing investigation is expected to examine the factory’s permissions, chemical storage practices, safety arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the explosions.
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