A fire erupted at SR Laboratories Pvt Ltd in Jaikesaram village, Choutuppal mandal, on Saturday night. The blaze started around 9 pm in the Dwarkamai production block due to a chemical leak from a reactor, which was repaired only a week earlier. Fortunately, production in-charge Madhusudan Chari quickly informed six workers, and they evacuated safely, preventing any injuries.
Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to control the fire before it could cause a major disaster. Although one reactor fell during the incident, it did not explode. Factory Inspector S Jangaiah stated that the exact cause remains unclear. The company suggested a short circuit, but there was no evidence of this. A thorough investigation by the PCB, Fire Department, Police, and Boiler Department will provide a final conclusion.
District Fire Officer Madhusudan Rao noted that the factory lacked adequate fire safety systems. Despite earlier directives for improving safety measures, many factories, including SR Labs, have not complied. This fire required assistance from fire engines in Choutuppal and additional chemical extinguishers from Divis Laboratories to be controlled. The flames spread to nearby methanol and toluene storage, worsening the situation. The chemical spill destroyed jowar crops in nearby fields and left a strong odor along Ramannapet road. Local farmers, who suffered damages, are demanding compensation from the factory management.
In June, a fire at a chemical factory in Jeedimetla resulted in worker fatalities. Following another incident in Pedda Kandukur, Yadadri Bhongir district, the District Collector held a meeting to enforce stricter fire safety protocols. However, many chemical factories in the Choutuppal region still neglect these safety standards.
