High-level probe ordered into Bevco godown fire

Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh inspecting the tract of a occurrence mishap astatine a Bevco outlet successful Pulikeezh, adjacent Thiruvalla on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Leju Kamal

The State authorities has initiated a high-level probe into the monolithic occurrence that ravaged the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) godown successful Pulikeezh, adjacent Thiruvalla, connected Tuesday night.

Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh, who visited the tract connected Wednesday evening, declared that a broad and thorough probe would beryllium conducted to find the origin of the fire. To forestall specified incidents from occurring stringent information measures volition beryllium implemented astatine each Bevco retention facilities and liquor outlets crossed the State. A high-level gathering volition beryllium convened to measure the situation, and occurrence information audits volition beryllium conducted astatine each locations, the Minister said.

Holding that operations astatine the affected installation would resume aft completing each legally required procedures, the curate besides noted that some the godown and the adjoining outlet are covered by peculiar insurance.

Preliminary estimates spot the harm from the occurrence astatine implicit ₹10 crore, with much than 45,000 cases of liquor destroyed successful the blaze. The fire, which erupted precocious astatine night, required implicit 10 occurrence units respective hours to control. Both the godown and the adjacent Bevco outlet were wholly destroyed.

“Our contiguous precedence is to find the origin of the fire, successful coordination with the police,” said Harshitha Attaloori, president and managing manager of Bevco, pursuing her sojourn to the site.

Liquor works nearby

Meanwhile, authoritative sources reported that a large catastrophe was narrowly avoided arsenic the occurrence did not dispersed to the adjacent Jawan liquor manufacturing unit, which houses lakhs of litres of tone successful ample tanks.

At the clip of the incident, attraction enactment was reportedly underway astatine the godown. It is alleged that a impermanent energy transportation had been drawn for this enactment without due authorisation.

Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony, who besides visited the tract during the day, accused the authorities of gross negligence and a blatant usurpation of information protocols

The constabulary person initiated a thorough probe to ascertain the nonstop origin of the fire.

Published - May 14, 2025 07:39 p.m. IST