Fire at IOC's Hazira terminal

According to Surat fire department officials, one of the tanks caught fire at around 1 pm and attempts were on to avoid fire from spreading to adjoining tankers

A major fire broke out at Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)'s Hazira Terminal in Gujarat this afternoon. The fire was reported at one of the storage tankers containing petrol at IOC's Hazira complex. No casualties have been reported so far.

Around 25 fire fighters from Surat, Bharuch, Navsari and Valsad have rushed to the spot to bring the fire under control. Officials of disaster and risk management team have also rushed to the spot. The fire could not be brought under control till 4 pm. The reason of fire is still not known.

"There is a fire at one of the storage tanks at our Hazira terminal. The tank contained petrol. We are rushing to the spot. Already fire fighters from nearby oil facilities including ONGC are trying to control the fire," said S K Diwan, executive director, IOC - Gujarat operations.

"We will investigate the reason of fire," said Diwan.

According to Surat fire department officials, tank no-2 caught fire at around 1 pm and attempts were on to avoid fire from spreading to adjoining tankers. "There were no casualties reported as of now. We are trying to control the fire. Cooling operations are on at the other fuel storage tanks at the premises," said a fire official at the spot.

The terminal situated in village Icchapure has nine fuel storage tanks, five contain petrol and four are of diesel. The terminal also includes a deep water multi-cargo port, about 25 km from Surat.