Three labourers sustained injuries following an explosion caused by a leakage of ammonia gas at the Balaji Ice Factory in the Uppalwadi industrial area of North Nagpur on Saturday evening. The injured workers, whose identities remain unknown, have been swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, as confirmed by Chief Fire Officer BP Chandankhede. The factory is under the ownership of Vijay Sahu.

The incident unfolded when leaking ammonia gas triggered an explosion, causing the cylinder to shatter. The force of the blast was so significant that it led to the collapse of a section of the factory wall, according to the acting CFO. Emergency response teams, including fire tenders, were promptly dispatched to the scene.

Chandankhede explained, "Firefighters, equipped with Breathing Apparatus Ba Sets, entered the accident site and successfully rescued one of the injured labourers, who was then rushed to a nearby hospital."

It has been reported that two other injured workers, rescued by their colleagues, were swiftly taken to a nearby hospital before the arrival of the firefighters. Chandankhede added that efforts are underway to ascertain if any additional employees are trapped inside the factory or if they are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, eye irritation, or skin irritation due to exposure to ammonia following the gas leak.

Ajay Sahu, the nephew of the factory owner, provided additional details, stating that only three contracted labourers fell unconscious after inhaling ammonia gas. "Out of them, two have already recovered after receiving medical treatment," he claimed, unable to identify the injured workers involved in the mishap.

Notably, the factory, facing low demand for ice during the winter season, operates only twice a week.