INDIA – No Casualties After Explosion Sparks Fire at Barnala Pharma Facility
No injuries or fatalities were reported after an explosion and subsequent fire at an IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd plant in Fatehgarh Channa village, Barnala district, on Tuesday night.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in Unit 9 of the pharmaceutical facility. According to company officials, the temperature in a large chemical storage tank rose unexpectedly, eventually causing an explosion. Three workers present in the unit had already evacuated the area after noticing signs of trouble, preventing any loss of life.
Following the blast, the factory’s fire-safety systems were activated and helped bring the fire under control, limiting the extent of property damage.
Senior district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sarfaraz Alam, visited the site along with representatives from other departments. They inspected the affected section of the plant and reviewed the safety measures in place.
SSP Alam said emergency response teams reached the factory shortly after receiving information about the explosion. He added that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the fire.
The event has drawn attention because of a previous accident at the same facility. On April 27, 2025, a hydrogen sulfide leak in Unit 3 led to the death of one employee and left three others hospitalised.
Photo credit: Unit-9. IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Ltd. All rights reserved.