A major fire at a naphtha pipeline in Haldia, West Bengal, has resulted in over 10 injuries and severe disruption to railway services.
IMAGE: A major fire breaks out at a naphtha-carrying pipeline in Haldia refinery in West Bengal. Photograph: ANI video grab
Key Points
- A major fire erupted at a naphtha-carrying pipeline in Haldia refinery, West Bengal, in the early hours of Tuesday.
- Over 10 people sustained injuries, with two reported to be in critical condition after being shifted to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital.
- The blaze quickly spread to Chiranjibpur in Haldia Municipality, engulfing several houses, and firefighting operations are ongoing with 12 fire trucks deployed.
- The incident also caused damage to overhead railway equipment near the site, leading to disruptions in train services.
- An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.
More than 20 people were injured after a major fire broke out at a naphtha-carrying pipeline of Haldia refinery in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said.
The fire was first spotted around 2.45 am, they said, adding that it quickly spread to Chiranjibpur in ward 13 of Haldia Municipality, engulfing several houses.
“Over 20 people, mostly locals, were injured in the fire. Out of them, five are critical. Some are undergoing treatment here while some were referred to hospitals in Kolkata,” a police officer said.
Among the injured were two security personnel of the company, he said.
Impact And Ongoing Operations
Twelve fire trucks were deployed, and firefighting operations are still underway, officials said.
The injured were rescued and taken to Haldia Sub-Divisional Hospital. Five of them were later shifted to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital, where two were reported to be in critical condition, a police officer said.
“The area has been secured, and firefighting operations are continuing. The exact cause of the incident will be known only after a detailed investigation,” he said. The blaze also damaged overhead railway equipment near the site, disrupting train services, officials said.
“Around 10 people are being shifted to state-run SSKM Hospital and NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, besides two other private hospitals in the city,” he said.
Police said the fire has been brought under control.
“The firefighters are using foam and fly ash, and hopefully it will be doused soon,” the officer said, noting that a few houses were completely gutted in the blaze.
“We suspect that leakage from the naphtha pipeline led to the fire, but a formal investigation will reveal the exact cause,” he said.
The blaze also damaged overhead railway equipment near the site, disrupting train services, officials said.
In a statement, HPL said preliminary information has indicated that the incident might have occurred in the vicinity of an unauthorised naphtha theft point near its plant.
Naphtha is a highly combustible and extremely flammable hydrocarbon, and HPL has repeatedly cautioned local communities against unauthorised access to or handling of petroleum products because of the associated safety risks, it said.
“It would be premature to comment further or attribute responsibility until the investigation is complete,” the company said, maintaining that it would continue to cooperate fully with the investigating agencies.
“Our thoughts are with those affected,” it added.
