Fire breaks out at HPCL refinery in Visakhapatnam
No casualties were reported after a fire erupted at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited facility on Monday night.
A fire broke out at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) refinery in the Gajuwaka industrial area of Visakhapatnam on Monday night, according to The Indian Express and Hindustan Times.
The blaze occurred at approximately 9.45 pm and was brought under control within an hour. No injuries or fatalities have been reported, according to Malkapuram police station SHO E Narasimha.
The fire is believed to have started in a sulphur pitch tank at the refinery's Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF). An HPCL official told The New Indian Express that the smoke was heavy because of the high viscosity of the product in the tank.
While local residents reported hearing an explosion, Malkapuram inspector of police Prakash Rao said the fire was brought under control by internal firefighting teams. Six fire tenders were also used to manage the situation.
As a precaution, refinery officials evacuated personnel to safer locations and suspended the power supply to the affected area. Visuals of a large column of fire and thick smoke were seen in the vicinity.
The exact cause of the fire and the extent of property damage will be assessed on Tuesday.