Vizag: death toll in HPCL fire reaches 28

With one more worker succumbing to burn injuries at a local hospital, the death toll in the fire that broke out at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's premises here last month has risen to 28.

A Srinivasa Rao (39), who was undergoing treatment at Seven Hills Hospital, died today, the company said in a statement here.

Barring one, all the deceased were employed by private contractors hired by BPCL. Ch Murali, in-charge of the cooling tower, was an employee of HPCL.

At present 12 workers are in the hospital -- six here and six at National Burns Hospital, Mumbai.

A massive blaze broke out at the sprawling HPCL complex here on August 23.