Late on Monday night, a fire broke out at the "Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited" (HPCL) refinery located in the "Gajuwaka" industrial area of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). This incident has raised serious concerns among local residents.
Details of the Fire
Prakash Rao, the police inspector of the "Malakapuram" area, stated that the fire is believed to have started in the "Residue Upgradation Facilities" (RUF) bitumen tank. The tank caught fire, leading to flames and thick smoke rising. Local residents reported hearing an explosion in the area, but police officials have not confirmed this.
Firefighting Operations and Consequences
Firefighting operations have quickly commenced, and HPCL staff are working to control the blaze. One HPCL employee stated, "The flames rapidly spread to adjacent sections, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky and engulfing surrounding areas." Currently, an investigation into the exact cause of the fire is underway.
Given the severity of the incident, police have reported no casualties. However, concerns about the safety of workers and local residents remain. Similar fires in refineries can often have more serious consequences, especially in areas where flammable material storage equipment is present.
