Deora says fire at IOC depot has to die down on its own

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today said the fire at Indian Oil Corporation's fuel depot on the outskirts of the city has to die down on its own and there was "no other solution" to douse the leaping flames.

"You cannot do anything now. It (fire) has to die down on its own," Deora, who arrived here this morning, told reporters.

Asked if the fire would continue to rage, he said "Thats what experts say. There is nothing else one can do. There is no other solution or alternative".

Deora said the "Centre is in touch with authorities and are trying to help the aggrieved. We are also trying to provide proper treatment for the injured".

Five persons were killed and around 150 injured in the fire that broke out at around 7.30 PM last evening when petrol was being transferred from the depot to a pipeline and swiftly spread out of control.

A leak in the pipeline is suspected to have caused the blaze.

Residents of about ten nearby villages, which house an estimated five lakh people, and inmates of hostels in 10 engineering and technical colleges and a medical college have been evacuated in the wake of the incident after which power supply in the area was cut off.