The fire broke out at a facility operated by Haldia Petrochemicals in Purba Medinipur district, located about 130 kilometers southwest of Kolkata. According to police, the blaze originated in a naphtha pipeline within the plant before quickly spreading to nearby houses, raising concerns over the safety of surrounding communities.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, deploying 12 fire engines to contain the flames. Firefighters worked for several hours before bringing the fire under control. Police confirmed that all injured individuals were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Those injured included plant workers and at least two security guards, while five victims were reported to be in critical condition.
Visuals from the scene showed firefighters continuously spraying water on the burning pipeline as thick black smoke billowed into the sky, reflecting the intensity of the fire.
Naphtha is a highly flammable petroleum product widely used in the production of fuels and various industrial chemicals, making fires involving the substance particularly hazardous.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. Haldia Petrochemicals said in an official statement that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident.
The incident has once again highlighted the serious risks associated with petrochemical operations, as authorities continue their investigation while the injured receive medical treatment and officials assess the full impact of the fire.
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