Unit was closed for three years, but some chemicals were stored on premises PK Jaiswar Amritsar, September 30 An explosion in a paint factory, which has been lying closed for three years, on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road led to panic among the residents here on Monday. The impact of the blast was so powerful that it badly damaged the walls of the building, besides uprooting the gates and shutters. After getting information, police personnel, including Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) Jaspreet Singh and SHO of the D Division police station Gurwinder Singh, immediately reached the spot. Fire tenders were also pressed into service to douse the flames that erupted in the factory post the blast. The police are ascertaining the cause of the explosion. Forensic teams also reached the spot to carry out an investigation. Phoolchand, a watchman of the factory, had a narrow escape as he had just returned from the market and was about to enter the building when the explosion took place. He informed the police and the Fire Brigade Department about the incident. He said the paint factory was shut down around three years ago while some chemicals, paint and other material were stored on the premises. The factory is owned by Sawinder Singh who used to visit occasionally, he added. The police said investigation was on to know the exact cause of the blast. The Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) said some chemicals stored in drums might have led to the explosion. The explosion led to panic and fear among residents of the holy city as just a few days ago, a blast in the congested Luv Kush area in Putlighar had claimed two lives and left six persons, including a policeman, injured. Earlier, the Punjab police had busted an alleged Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module with the arrest of six persons. Narrow escape for watchman Phoolchand, a watchman of the factory, had a narrow escape as he had just returned from the market and was about to enter the building when the explosion took place. He informed the police and the Fire Brigade Department about the incident. He said the paint factory was shut down around three years ago while some chemicals, paint and other material were stashed on the premises. The factory is owned by Sawinder Singh who used to visit occasionally, he added.

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