40 fire tenders pressed into service as Duvvada SEZ inferno rages on

A major fire broke out at a bio-diesel manufacturing plant in Duvvada Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Visakhapatnam late on Tuesday night.

Around 40 fire tenders are still battling relentlessly to douse the flames, which erupted in Biomax Company around 7.30 p.m yesterday.

The fire-fighting has become a massive challenge for the authorities due to the presence of highly inflammable material in the plant's premises. According to reports, eighteen tanks of fuel and raw materials were present at the Biomax's unit at the time of fire. No causalities have been reported so far.

Such was the intensity of flames that the Eastern Naval Command was pressed into service to aid the local authorities in fire fighting.

"We have sent eight fire extinguishers, will see what best we can do... Eastern Naval Command launched two aircrafts for aerial reconnaissance and assessment of the extent of fire," Ravindra, an Indian navy Commander.

Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who rushed to the scene to take stock of the situation, said that the state government has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

"We ordered to district for enquiry on this incident. There is no fire safety in the city. I accept this. Not only industry area, but even schools, malls, theatres and various other places do not have safety methods. We will check it from tomorrow, we should take action against those who are not following rules and regulations," he told media.

In 1997, a massive fire in the HPCL plant in the same region had left over 60 persons dead.