UP: Blast rocks Rathi Steel's plant; 12 injured

Ghaziabad, Oct 10: At least 12 workers were injured in an explosion in a manufacturing facility of Rathi Steel & Power Ltd. here on Monday, police said.

The police said the incident took place about 11.00 a.m. in the boiler of the factory's furnace unit.

"We pressed into service three fire tenders along with 20 fire fighters and they controlled the spread of fire within an hour. The reason of the blast could be explosives in the raw material which is imported from the Gulf where used war material is exported for melting to make steel," said Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Akshhay Ranjan Sharma.

"An FIR would be lodged against the owners of the factory if the factory management is found at fault during investigation," added the CFO.

Factory manager Rajendra Prasad said that though the material is segregated carefully by the supplier, there may have been a lapse on the part of the supplier. The company also has initiated an inquiry into the incident.

IANS