Gujarat: Blast At IOCL Refinery In Vadodara Triggers Massive Fire, Injured Workers Rushed To Hospital

Gujarat News: An explosion at an IOCL refinery in Vadodara caused a massive fire, leading to evacuations and the deployment of 10 fire tenders.

A major fire broke out at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Vadodara on Monday following an explosion in a storage tank. The incident occurred around 4 PM at the Koyali refinery on the city's outskirts, causing thick plumes of smoke visible from several kilometres away.

Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar stated, "No casualties have been reported, and a final headcount is being conducted." He confirmed that the situation is under control. The fire, triggered by a blast in a benzene storage tank, prompted the immediate isolation of the affected unit. "Fire tenders have been deployed, and fluid circulation within the complex has been halted in line with standard operating procedures," Komar told news agency PTI.

Komar added that other storage tanks are being cooled to prevent the fire from spreading, and all employees working during the shift were evacuated. Workers arriving for subsequent shifts have been turned away for safety reasons. "The benzene in the 500-kilolitre storage tank will take some time to burn out completely," he noted, stressing that evacuation efforts have been completed.

As per ABP Asmita, Local MLA Dharmendrasinh Vaghela also rushed to the spot to assess the situation. Currently, refinery fire personnel are working to bring the blaze under control, while additional fire brigades from Nandesari and nearby areas have been put on standby.

Local MLA Dharmendrasinh Vaghela told PTI, "I received a call from Bajwa Sarpanch Ajit Patel informing about the fire. I tried contacting the refinery officials, but since they are involved in the dousing operation, I could not have a telephone conversation with them. Some injuries have been reported, thankfully no fatality has been reported."

"Those who are injured have been shifted to the hospital for treatment. We will hold a meeting with refinery and fire officials to ensure that such incidents do not recur, and necessary steps will be taken. As per the latest updates, the fire is now under control," Vaghela told the media, as per ABP Asmita.

Gujarat: Fire After Chemical Leak At Godown In Navsari Claims 3 Lives

This incident comes days after a tragic fire caused by a chemical leak claimed the lives of three workers and injured three others in Navsari district, Gujarat. The fire broke out on Saturday morning when workers were unloading chemical barrels from a truck at a godown in Devsar village, Billimoria taluka.

Deputy Superintendent of Police BV Gohil confirmed that five fire tenders from nearby talukas were deployed, and the blaze was eventually controlled, PTI reported. Mamlatdar Jagdish Chaudhary explained that the fire was caused by chemicals leaking from one of the barrels.