Three workers sustained grievous injuries in a fire which broke out in the unit of Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals at Pydibheemavaram in Srikakulam district in the early hours of Monday, according to sources. The fire was caused by an explosion in G-block at 5 a.m. due to high pressure in the vacuum dryer.

Mr K. Ramappadu and Mr Mohan Naik, workers, and chemist Mr M. Veerraju suffered 85 per cent burns in the accident. They were taken to a private hospital in Visakhapatnam for treatment. Their condition is said to be critical.

The union leaders demanded that the management strengthen safety measures at the plant and take good care of the injured workers.