Powerful serial blasts shook the factory of pharmaceutical major Ranbaxy in Mohali on Wednesday night setting off a major fire that left at least 20 people injured.

At least 40 technical personnel were on duty when the blasts took place at the production centre of the factory followed by the fire, Senior Superintendent of Police G P S Bhullar said.

He said people from nearby houses were being evacuated due to toxic fumes generated by burning chemicals.

Bhullar said out of the 20 people injured, two had 100 per cent burn injuries.

He ruled out sabotage and termed the blasts as 'purely accidental'.

The first explosion rocked the factory at around 2235 hours and was followed by a series of low-intensity blasts, Bhullar said.

Twenty-fire tenders From Ludhiana, Ropar, Chandigarh and other nearby areas were pressed into service and the blaze was put out shortly before midnight.

The injured were admitted to different hospitals and the police cordoned off the factory premises.

Bhullar said preliminary investigations showed the blast had taken place in a generator set inside the factory's production centre.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 4 Sub: ranbaxy fire I feel that most of the Major pharma companies now a d days are not following the standrad safey procedures. they are totally into multiplyig ... Posted by ravishankar Sub: Ranbaxy unit blast, 20 hurt This sounds exactly like a dust explosion to me. Poor housekeeping and inappropriate equipment for the task (not dust ignition proof) will cause exactly this ... Posted by Paul Spresser Sub: ranbaxy blast the location of the ranbaxy factory in mohali, has been a concern for the residents for a long time now. perpetually the area smells of ... Posted by kashchit Sub: negligience on the part of the authorities It is really surprising that on one hand we calim to be reaching the status of a developed country in 20 years but at the ... Posted by champak