45 injured in massive fire at Bharat Petroleum plant near Mumbai, locals feel tremors
The Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed seven fire engines, two foam tenders and two jumbo tankers to the Bharat Petroleum plant in Chembur.
Updated: August 09, 2018
By HT Correspondent
Boiler blast at BPCL mahul unit in which 43 works injured. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT Photo )
At least 45 workers were injured, two critically, on Wednesday after a major fire broke out at Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd’s refinery in Chembur, an eastern suburb of Mumbai in Maharashtra, officials said.
“After a preliminary treatment at BPCL’s first aid centre, 22 were allowed to go home and 21 were shifted to Inlaks Hospital in Chembur. They have fractures and lacerated wounds. One is being treated in ICU (intensive care unit),” deputy commissioner of police (zone VI) Shahji Umap said.
BPCL had earlier said in a statement that two people had sustained minor injuries and were attended at the refinery’s medical centre before being taken to a hospital for further treatment.
“The fire is still on but is under control,” the company said.
Officials also said 20 workers have been evacuated from the plant.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade, which rushed seven fire engines, two foam tenders and two jumbo tankers to the spot, said the fire was confined to the hydrocracker plant and that a cooling operation was in progress.
“Due to the tremendous heat and build up pressure, firefighting is being carried out from a safe distance using fixed monitors,” chief fire officer PS Rahangdale said.
Seven monitors of fixed firefighting installations and four hose lines of fire engines were being used to contain the level 3 fire that requires immediate evacuation.
Locals reported earthquake-like vibrations from as far as 4km from the plant. Residents from Deonar, which is north of Chembur, also reported vibrations from the blast.
Residents from 72 Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) buildings, who have been rehabilitated close to the refinery, raised slogans against the government outside the plant.
The locals said they are grappling with several health issues due to the pollution caused by the refinery.