By IANS,
Guwahati : A fire broke out at the Guwahati Refinery Sunday, creating panic in the area. It was extinguished in about half-an-hour and authorities said there were no casualties or damage to the plant.
A refinery spokesperson said the fire broke outside the Sulphur Recovery Unit of the plant Sunday afternoon during a routine shutdown.
“The fire broke out in one of the drains where there was some oil spillage and we managed to bring it under control immediately with no loss of life reported nor any damage to machinery and equipment,” said W. Barbora, deputy general manager of Guwahati Refinery.
“It was a routine shutdown and we are now investigating as to how there was oil spillage in the drain that led to the fire,” he added.
There was a thick blanket of smoke soon after the fire broke out with shops and businesses around the refinery shutting down and people fleeing their homes in panic.
“There was total chaos and panic all over the area with people running for their lives thinking there was a big fire at the refinery,” said Arun Das, a resident.
At least five fire tenders were pressed into service and the flames were doused in about 30 minutes.
“There is no need to panic and everything is absolutely fine,” the refinery official said.