- Edited and Published by S.K Nair Director Edutech Foundation - Bangalore
Fire broke out in the premises of HAL today (Wednesday) morning. The incident created panic among the residents staying surrounding HAL, however, there are no casualties reported. The fire and emergency officials are making efforts to douse the fire completely. The accidental fire broke out in Forge and Foundry (F&F) division in the premises of HAL around 9.30 am.
It is an incident of a chemical fire. A stockpile of magnesium caught fire at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Forge and Foundry Division on Old Airport Road on Wednesday morning, resulting in sounds of an explosion and a large blaze at the facility. Eight fire tenders are currently at the spot trying to douse the fire. The entire area has been cordoned off and fire has been isolated. There are no casualties reported in the incident so far.
A few residents heard a huge sound like explosions from HAL premises. Many of them got panic as they didn't know what exactly the explosion was. On rushing out of their residences people found thick black smoke.
One of the residents staying close to HAL said, "We heard huge blast. We got panicked but on learning, it is a fire mishap we had a relief." HAL described the fire as being under control, the officer clarified that there were challenges to extinguishing the flames as magnesium cannot be doused by water.
When magnesium interacts with water, it forms a hydrogen gas that ignites violently due to the excessive heat and oxygen supply. The metal will burn hot enough to decrease the water molecule, which turns to hydrogen gas. The incident is happening on the day after all divisions of the company were reopened following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the State government.
