HPCL Visakhapatnam Refinery Fire Controlled; No Casualties Reported
A fire broke out at the HPCL Visakhapatnam Refinery pitch storage tank. No casualties reported as units return to safe operation.
Operations have returned to normalcy at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Visakhapatnam Refinery after a fire broke out at a pitch intermediate storage tank on Monday night. The company has confirmed that the HPCL Visakhapatnam Refinery fire was swiftly managed, and all refinery units are currently operating safely.
Rapid Response and Containment
The incident was reported around 10 pm on November 2. Upon detection, the refinery's dedicated Fire and Safety Team immediately activated emergency response protocols. According to a statement shared by HPCL on X, the blaze was confined to the pitch tank area and was brought under control in a short period.
The company emphasized that there were no casualties resulting from the incident and reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and emergency preparedness across its facilities.
Official Assessment and Public Assurance
Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Dileep Chakravarthy visited the site to assess the situation. He informed the public that the fire was fully extinguished through a combination of the plant's internal firefighting systems and additional equipment deployed by the Andhra Pradesh Fire Department.
"There is no cause for worry, and no injuries or casualties have been reported. People are requested not to panic about the incident," stated RDO Dileep Chakravarthy.
Blast Reports and Investigation
While the company focused on the containment of the fire, the RDO revealed that a small blast had occurred at the refinery, which subsequently triggered the fire. Due to the nature of the incident, an official enquiry will be launched to examine industrial safety at the facility, ensuring all applicable safety norms were followed.
Eyewitness Accounts
Despite the official assurances, the incident caused significant alarm among locals. Eyewitnesses reported seeing large flames rising from the facility, which led to panic in the vicinity. Some residents mentioned moving away from the area out of fear as the flames appeared substantial from a distance.
Despite the initial scare, authorities have maintained that the situation is fully under control and poses no further threat to the public.