Fire breaks out at HPCL refinery in Visakhapatnam
A fire erupted at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited facility on Monday night, though no casualties have been reported so far.
A fire broke out at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Visakh refinery in Visakhapatnam on Monday night, according to reports by The New Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle.
The blaze occurred in a pitch tank at the refinery's Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF). An HPCL official stated that the smoke was thick because of the high viscosity of the product stored in the tank.
Deccan Chronicle reported that the fire erupted from residue oil and followed reports of sudden explosion sounds at the facility. Sources said the fire broke out after a trial run went awry, leaving sulphur as a byproduct.
Multiple firefighting teams were sent to the site to contain the flames, which sent thick smoke over nearby neighbourhoods. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
An HPCL official said the extent of property damage will be assessed on Tuesday.