Jabalpur ordnance factory fire gutted Only old materials

The fire at the ordnance factory in Jabalpur did not have any effect on India's inventory as only old materials were gutted, Defence Ministry sources said on Sunday.

The ministry sources also said a probe would find out what caused the fire.

On Saturday evening, a major fire broke out at the ordnance factory at Khamaria in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh and a series of explosions were heard.

The fire, which started around 6.20 p.m. was controlled around 9.15 p.m., officials said.

"Only the magazine building has been destroyed in the fire. The material that was gutted was old ordnance. This will not have any major effect on the inventory, the ordnance currently in use is safe," an official of th factory told IANS.

"A probe will go into the reason for the fire and the extent of damage," the official added.

Jabalpur District Magistrate M.C. Chaudhary told IANS that the fire broke out in the F-3 section of the factory after a series of explosions caused by bombs.

Authorities said no one was injured in the incident.

On May 31, 2016, 19 persons were killed in a massive fire at Pulgaon arms depot in Maharashtra. Besides, 17 others were injured.

While the Pulgaon fire was blamed on faulty anti-tank mines, the reason for fire in Jabalpur factory would be known only after a probe is completed, the officials said.

--IANS

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