Police launch probe into Aether Industries fire

Surat: Police have launched an independent inquiry into the fire that broke out at the warehouse of Aether Industries Limited in the Hojiwala Industrial Estate in Sachin.As part of the investigation, police collected samples of the debris from the affected site with the help of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The samples will be analysed to determine the type of material that was damaged in the blaze, which continued for nearly three hours."FSL officials collected samples from the spot, and police are examining what kind of material was stored in the warehouse. Statements of people present at the premises will also be recorded to ascertain how the fire started," a police officer said.Police have registered an information complaint and initiated an inquiry into the incident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a few staff members were present in the warehouse when the fire broke out, but they managed to evacuate immediately after noticing the flames, preventing any casualties.An official of Aether Industries Limited said the affected structure was a shed adjoining another main warehouse where stock is stored, and the main facility did not suffer any damage. "Both the premises are located away from our plant, which remained safe due to timely efforts to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading," the official said.The official added that the functioning fire-fighting system helped save a significant quantity of material stored in the warehouse.Meanwhile, the warehouse has been sealed by the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health for further investigation. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board has also begun an inquiry to assess any possible environmental impact from the incident.