Fire at HPCL Visakhapatnam Refinery Localised and Doused; All Units Operating Safely with Zero Casualties
VISAKHAPATNAM: Operations at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Visakh Refinery returned to normal after an industrial fire that erupted near an intermediate storage container was successfully brought under control.
The incident began around 10:00 PM when flames and dark plumes of smoke were observed originating from an intermediate tank holding Ruf Pitch Oil, a heavy residual substance used in bitumen production. The towering flames and thick smoke sparked concerns among residents in the adjacent localities of Sriharipuram and Malkapuram, leading many to exit their houses as rumors of a potential explosion circulated. The refinery’s in-house Fire and Safety wing immediately activated safety sirens and launched emergency suppression measures, joined by fire brigades dispatched from the state fire services. Firefighters utilized foam tenders and specialized deluge cooling systems to isolate the affected unit, successfully preventing the heat from reaching neighboring fuel reservoirs and critical processing units.
Local revenue and police officials, who inspected the facility during emergency operations, confirmed that the blaze was brought under complete control without causing structural damage beyond the containment zone.HPCL confirmed that the fire remained confined strictly to the pitch tank enclosure and was entirely doused. Company officials stated that no employees or contractor personnel sustained injuries. An internal technical inquiry has been initiated under standard industrial safety guidelines to determine the exact mechanical or thermal cause of the ignition
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