Visakhapatnam, November 3 (TNA) A fire broke out at an intermediate pitch storage tank at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Visakh Refinery at around 10 p.m. on Monday, November 2, the company said.
HPCL’s Fire and Safety Team immediately activated emergency response and firefighting measures. The blaze was confined to the pitch-tank area and was brought under control within a short time, the company said in a statement.
Refinery Units Operating Safely
HPCL said no casualties were reported in the incident and that all units at the Visakhapatnam refinery were operating safely. Firefighting equipment available at the facility, along with support from the Andhra Pradesh Fire Department, was used to extinguish the blaze.
Local officials inspected the site after the incident and said there was no immediate cause for concern. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire and assess compliance with industrial safety standards.
Cause Under Investigation
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Officials are investigating whether the incident was linked to operations involving pitch, a heavy petroleum residue stored and handled at the facility. HPCL said it remained committed to maintaining high standards of safety and emergency preparedness. Further details about any damage to the storage tank or surrounding infrastructure were awaited.