Early Tuesday morning, a significant fire broke out in a pipeline transporting naphtha at the Haldia Refinery in West Bengal, resulting in injuries to at least 15 individuals.
The incident took place between 4:00 am and 5:00 am, when flames suddenly erupted from the pipeline. The intense blaze caused several workers in the vicinity to sustain burn injuries, with some reported to be in critical condition. Thick plumes of black smoke rose into the sky as efforts were made to bring the fire under control.
Local residents and refinery personnel quickly responded to the scene upon learning of the emergency. The injured workers were promptly rescued and transported to the Haldia Sub-Divisional Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released information on the cause of the accident, and investigations are expected to provide further clarity in the coming hours.
Naphtha, a volatile and highly flammable liquid derived from crude oil during the refining process, serves as a key feedstock in the production of fuels such as gasoline and kerosene. Its presence in the affected pipeline likely contributed to the rapid escalation of the fire.
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Visuals from the site captured the dramatic scene, showing dense smoke billowing upward while responders worked to extinguish the flames. The refinery, a major industrial facility in the region, handles substantial volumes of petroleum products, underscoring the potential risks associated with such infrastructure.
This event highlights ongoing safety considerations in industrial operations involving flammable materials. As of now, no additional details on the fire’s current status or broader impacts have been confirmed. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with focus remaining on the well-being of those affected and preventing any further escalation.
