Surat: The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) has launched an inquiry into the major fire that broke out at an external warehouse of Aether Industries Ltd in Hojiwala Industrial Estate in Sachin. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has started a separate probe to assess the environmental impact. The unit has been ordered to remain shut until further notice.

Conflicting claims have surfaced over the cause of the fire. Aether Industries initially said the blaze spread from a nearby plywood unit and later claimed it started after a transformer of Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) caught fire. However, DGVCL released CCTV footage on Friday showing the fire started inside the warehouse before reaching the transformer, and said action will be taken over the “incorrect claims”.

Authorities are examining the sequence of events, safety compliance and possible environmental damage as multiple agencies continue the probe.

The fire broke out on Wednesday at the warehouse and could not initially be controlled by local fire teams, after which Surat Fire and Emergency Services were called. More than 20 fire tenders were deployed and a major call was declared, with additional teams from Hazira pressed into service.

Firefighting was hampered after liquid chemicals stored in the warehouse spilled onto the road, making access difficult for emergency teams. DeshGujarat