BARC fire: Former center director hints foul play

Mumbai, Dec 31: A day after fire broke out in a chemical lab at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), former Director of the center A N Prasad said that the fire at BARC was not accidental.

"It could be that someone is testing us (BARC) to know our preparedness and response to such incidents. We have been told by intelligence that BARC is one of targets for terror attacks," Prasad said in a News agency report on Wednesday, Dec 30.

Suggesting foul play, Prasad said that the Modular lab in which the fire broke out does not handle any hazardous chemicals, adding that the media reports hint that someone was trying to get determine the vulnerability of the lab.

"Modular laboratory does not handle any hazardous chemicals and yesterday's fire and explosion which resulted in the death of two persons is a cause of great concern,"Prasad said.

Prasad said that the safety committee of Modular lab periodically monitor and review the laboratories.

Citing absence of hazardous chemicals or cylinders which could caused explosion of such intensity, Prasad argued that even if inflammable chemicals are kept in the lab, it could not cause the death of an individual.

Two people were killed in the fire on the Tuesday, Dec 29.

OneIndia News