OISD to investigate into fire break out at IOCL’s Paradip refinery plant: Pradhan

BHUBANESWAR: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday reviewed the situation of Paradip oil refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), where a major fire broke out on Saturday evening.

After reviewing the situation, Pradhan directed the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) to investigate into the matter and submit a report within three days.

Sources said there would be no change of schedule for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the 15MMTPA oil refinery. Modi is scheduled to dedicate the refinery on February 7.

Sources said fire engulfed at Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation Unit (AVU) of the refinery plant while seven fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire.

The fire was reported from the newly-constructed AVU unit at about 6.30 pm and is believed to have been caused by the sparks flying from a drilling machine.

As soon as the news spread, employees and labourers left the site apprehending spread of flames to other parts of the plant.

A fire incident took place in a section of Paradip refinery yesterday at 6pm;fire was controlled by 6.30pm &was totally extinguished by 11pm

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 31, 2016

The mishap may have occurred due to the neglect of normal safety procedures, the absence of leak-stopping devices and insufficient understanding of hazards and risks and consequences, alleged an employee, who working on the premises.