VASCO: The Vasco fire fighters on Thursday averted a major tragedy following an ammonia leakage in a Chicalim-based ice factory which caused panic among the residents nearby after a foul odour emanated from it.
Speaking to the reporters, Vasco Fire Inspector Francisco Mendes said, “On Thursday late evening we received a call from Chicalim Panchayat Sarpanch Sebestiao Pereira about the ammonia gas leakage in an ice factory based in Chicalim. After rushing to the site and contacting the factory owner, it was learnt that there was some maintenance work ongoing inside the factory. Later, the plant was shut down and the work was stopped. We then sprinkled some water and diluted the ammonia and the situation was brought under control.”
Mormugao Deputy Collector Sachin Desai said, “The gas leakage incident triggered all the concerned authorities such as Deputy Superintendent of Police, police inspector and fire fighting personnel at the site and the situation was brought under control in time.”
Chicalim sarpanch said, “After we learnt about the gas leakage, some people panicked and to avoid any danger, the people residing in the next building of the factory were asked to vacate the premises, which they did. They were requested to empty the water tank which had a strong ammonia odour. The situation was brought under control by the fire fighters.”
