Two Workers Killed in Blaze at Anakapalli Pharma City Unit

A tragic industrial accident claimed the lives of two workers after a major fire broke out at a plastic waste recycling unit in Parawada Pharma City of Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli district in the early hours of Tuesday.

The fire occurred at Dakshin Energy , a facility that converts plastic waste into pyrolysis oil , a fuel commonly used as a raw material in biodiesel production. According to officials, the blaze erupted while plastic waste was being processed inside a reactor, triggering panic among workers on duty.

The deceased were identified as V. Venkatesh , an operator, and Srinath , a mechanical fitter. Both were working the night shift when the accident took place. Authorities said the two workers were caught in the flames and died on the spot before rescue teams could reach them.

Providing details of the incident, Parawada DSP B. Mohan Rao said preliminary findings suggest that a suspected gas leak inside the reactor may have led to the sudden outbreak of fire. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the work area and leaving the workers with little chance of escape.

Firefighters rushed to the scene with the support of three fire tenders , including two from Pharma City and one from Parawada. After a strenuous operation, emergency personnel succeeded in bringing the fire under control and preventing it from spreading to nearby industrial units.

Officials noted that Dakshin Energy is a small-scale recycling facility employing around seven workers. The plant uses thermal processing technology to extract oil from plastic waste, a process that involves handling highly combustible gases and materials, making strict safety protocols essential.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sought immediate details from senior officials and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the accident. He directed authorities to examine the circumstances leading to the fire and submit a detailed report at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also instructed officials to ensure all necessary assistance for the affected families and provide the best possible medical care to any injured workers. He assured that the government would extend full support to the families of the deceased and take appropriate action based on the findings of the inquiry.

A team from the Factory Inspectorate has begun its investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and assess whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy. Police are also in the process of registering a case. As of Tuesday evening, the management of Dakshin Energy had not issued an official statement on the incident.