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Visakhapatnam refinery hit by major fire near oil tank

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The fire originated near a storage tank holding Ruf Pitch Oil, which serves as an intermediate material for bitumen production at the Visakh Refinery. The intense flames quickly triggered alarm throughout the nearby Sriharipuram and Malkapuram industrial neighborhoods. HPCL sources reported that no casualties or injuries occurred, and officials downplayed the likelihood of any actual tank explosion. An investigation has officially been launched by authorities to establish the underlying cause of the incident.

Key points

  • HPCL refinery officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties resulted from the indust…: HPCL refinery officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties resulted from the industrial fire.
  • Authorities determined that the likelihood of an actual storage tank explosion remained v…: Authorities determined that the likelihood of an actual storage tank explosion remained very low.
  • An official investigation is underway to identify the precise cause behind the refinery f…: An official investigation is underway to identify the precise cause behind the refinery fire.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

VISAKHAPATNAM: A massive fire broke out at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd's (HPCL) Visakh Refinery on Monday evening, triggering panic in the surrounding industrial areas of Malkapuram and Sriharipuram.

The flames reportedly erupted near a tank containing Ruf Pitch Oil and rose to considerable heights, attracting the attention of people travelling along adjoining roads.

Several commuters recorded videos of the incident on their mobile phones. The videos subsequently went viral on social media, causing anxiety among residents in the vicinity.

According to preliminary information from HPCL sources, no injuries or casualties were reported. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Rumours of an explosion in the oil tank spread across the industrial area. However, HPCL sources indicated that the possibility of a tank explosion was considered low. Officials were examining the circumstances that led to the fire.

Ruf Pitch Oil is an intermediate product used in the manufacture of bitumen.

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