Massive fire at chemicals company in MSEZ triggers panic

A fire broke out at the greenfield facility of Catasynth Specialty Chemicals, a chemicals manufacturing company located in the Mangaluru Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) under Bajpe station limits on Saturday. Police officials said that the fire broke out following a loud explosion.

Following the explosion, thick smoke billowing from the building enveloped the area, causing tense moments among the locals. Sources from the company at MSEZ Limited, where the fire broke out, said there were no casualties.

DCP Hariram Shankar said that petroleum byproducts are produced at the company. Meanwhile, fire tenders from the Kadri fire station, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers (MCF) and New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) rushed to the spot and attempted to douse the fire.

The exact reason for the mishap and the extent of loss are yet to be ascertained, sources said.

The company is situated near Permude in the outskirts of Mangaluru city. Due to the lockdown, many workers were on leave. Hence, there were no casualties, said sources from the company.

Catasynth Speciality Chemicals Private Limited is a subsidiary of The Anthea Group.

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