Fire continues for the fourth day at IOC plant

Fire continued to rage in two of the 11 IOC fuel storage tanks near Jaipur today even as a body was dug out of the debris and another man injured in the inferno succumbed to injuries, taking the toll in the blaze to 12.

Over 50 locals residing in the vicinity of the fuel depot at Sitapura, 20 kms from here, have reported to various hospitals complaining of itching, eye burning, suffocation and skin allergies due to the fire which broke out on Thursday.

Chief Fire Officer Ishwarlal Jat said the blaze in the two remaining petrol tanks has reduced considerably but it will probably take one more day for it to completely die down.

Efforts will be made to douse the fire in remaining two tanks by fire fighters, he said.

Last night, there was a deafening blast at the inferno site as lids of tanks broke into pieces due to pressure, Jat added.

Rescue teams were inspecting the area near the tanks while searching for any bodies in the rubble.

An IOC driver, Jagdish, who was brought to the hospital on the first day of the fire with severe burn injuries, died last night, an official said, adding the body was handed over to relatives after post mortem.

In the debris clearing operation, in the premises of Genus Overseas, a private company hit by the fire, rescuers recovered the body of a man identified as Kishan Singh Dhakar.

With this, the death toll in the fire has risen to 12, IGP Jaipur range, B L Soni said.

Residents have, meanwhile, collected samples of black matter descending on the ground from the thick black smoke emanating from the fuel containers. It may contain solidified carbon dioxide mixed with sulphur and other hydrocarbons, the official added.

Carcasses of many birds have also been found in the area.

Jaipur Collector Kuldeep Ranka said a technical committee has been constituted to assess the damage caused due to the fire and also find out the future risks surrounding such volatile industries including fuel companies.

Rail and road traffic continued to be disrupted in the area with 12 trains passing through Jaipur-Swaimadhopur rail sections diverted through other routes and 95 buses diverted on the Jaipur-Kota highway.

Ranka said an over bridge near the inferno site will be opened for transport only after getting clearance from the Jaipur Development Authority experts.

Electricity will be restored in the danger zone of 1 km after examining safety measures and all precautions.

Over ten engineering, medical and technical education colleges will be opened after physical and technical verification of buildings which suffered severe damage due to the fire.

The district administration said people can open their shops and offices today in an areas one km away from the ire site, and public transportation in the area would be restored by tomorrow.