‘Chemical reactions caused factory blast’

After visiting the blast site in Dombivali on Thursday, officials from the Directorate of Steam Boilers (DSB) said that contrary to the rumours and a majority of media reports, the explosion was not caused by a malfunctioned boiler. Instead, the chemical reactions inside the multiple reactors in the industrial unit had caused it.

The explosion at MIDC Phase II of Dombivali on Thursday had resulted in 11 deaths and left 159 people injured. “We visited the site of Probace Enterprises and carried out a detailed investigation.

The industry housed chemical reactors and thermal fluid heaters but no boilers were found. In fact when we inspected surrounding area, we did find a decommissioned small-scale boiler in Herbertson Company which has been shut since ages but thankfully that boiler was protected from the impact of the blast,” said Sandeep Kumbhalwar, director, DSB. He added that the distillation outlet was using chemicals like Toluene, Benzene, Hydrazine and Xylen and a reaction between these chemicals might have caused the explosion.

Following the incident, the state is set to form a joint committee comprising representatives of DSB, the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) and a representative from collector’s office to prepare a detailed report on the incident. As the committee will focus on the industrial units of Dombivali and possible violation of laws, they are slated to submit the report to the state.

Officials confirmed that a committee, comprising three representatives is slated to carry out detailed inspection of the industries in Dombivali as has been directed by the state government. However, when asked why the inspection is limited to the Dombivali area since the possibility of the incident is high in almost all the industrial areas located across the city, one of the official said, “The step has been taken by the state as a result of the explosion.”