A major fire broke out at HPCL’s refinery in Visakhapatnam, one of India’s largest, causing panic among nearby residents. Initial reports suggest an explosion was heard before the blaze, but this has not yet been officially confirmed.
The New Indian Express reports that the fire started in an oil storage tank in the refinery’s residue processing unit. Towering flames rose above the industrial complex, accompanied by thick clouds of black smoke that blanketed the sky.
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Workers said they heard a loud explosion-like noise shortly before the fire broke out. One said explosions had been heard in the area and that the flames spread rapidly as thick black smoke billowed into the sky.
The refinery’s firefighting teams responded immediately to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading. Fire engines were also dispatched from various parts of the city.
Management took safety measures by cutting power to the affected section of the facility and moving workers to safe areas. Meanwhile, police cordoned off the refinery and barred entry to the area.
A refinery representative attributed the density of the smoke to the high viscosity of the material stored in the tank.
Many local residents left their homes after noticing the flames and thick smoke above the refinery.
A company spokesperson said no injuries or deaths had been reported at this stage. The cost of the damage has yet to be determined, while investigations into the exact cause of the fire continue.
HPCL’s Visakhapatnam facility ranks among the major oil refining hubs along India’s east coast.
