Fire not a sabotage: Company

Two days after a fire destroyed a packaging unit of Supermax blade company in Wagle Estate, company officials refuted allegations about it being a sabotage.

Shiv Sena leader Anant Tare had raised doubts over the fire and written to the chief minister demanding a high-level inquiry. He had said that the company might have a vested interest of building a mall or a high tower in place of the company. The same was voiced by few of the company’s trade unions.

"We do not plan to relocate to Himachal Pradesh nor do we want to build a mall. We will rebuild the company there," said human resources general manager Subhash Chaudhari.

The company’s overseas partner Ajay Bindroo said, "Production has increased by 40 per cent in last six months. Why would they shut shop? We are the only Indian brand which sells its products in 140 countries."

The fire had destroyed the entire unit, which has resulted in a loss of more than Rs 100 crore. No casualties were reported as the 70 workers present at the time of the blaze were evacuated along with the residents of nearby slums.

Chief fire officer Vijay Vaidya said: "I cannot comment as to whether it is sabotage or not as the inquiry is on. But it is strange that the fire broke out at six spots at the same time."

Chaudhari replied: "Firemen were dousing the fire from six locations as there were slums surrounding the company. They were vantage points to save the slums."