The death toll in the devastating fire at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery in Vadodara, Gujarat, has risen to two, with another individual critically injured and currently receiving treatment at a private hospital. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a powerful blast erupted in a benzene storage tank at the refinery in the Koyali area of the city. The explosion triggered a massive blaze, which later spread to two adjacent tanks.
According to Jawahar Nagar police station inspector A B Mori, efforts to control the blaze continued into the early hours of Tuesday, involving multiple fire tenders from nearby cities and towns. Despite these extensive efforts, the fire resulted in the tragic deaths of two refinery workers, Dhimant Makwana and Shailesh Makwana. An additional IOCL official sustained injuries in the explosion, but authorities confirmed that their condition is stable.
The fire was reported to have started around 3:30 pm on Monday at the benzene storage tank with a capacity of 1,000 KL. In a statement released on Monday evening, the IOCL confirmed that the adjacent water sprinkler system had been activated to help control the fire. However, the cause of the fire remains undetermined at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) D J Chavda revealed that the fire had spread to two adjoining storage tanks, creating a hazardous situation. Visuals from the site showed thick plumes of smoke rising high into the air, visible from kilometers away, as workers were evacuated from the refinery campus for safety reasons.
The district administration, police officials, and senior IOCL executives immediately arrived at the site to assess the situation. Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar stated that, as per the standard operating procedure, fluid circulation within the refinery was halted to prevent further escalation. Efforts were also made to cool other storage tanks in the vicinity to prevent the fire from spreading to them.
In addition to the immediate firefighting response, the refinery took swift measures to ensure the safety of its employees. All workers who were on duty during the incident were evacuated, and those arriving for subsequent shifts were turned back. This proactive approach helped minimize the risk to human life, though the fire’s destruction was substantial.
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The IOCL, one of the largest oil companies in India, has faced similar incidents in the past, though this fire has been one of the most significant in recent years. Local authorities have already initiated an investigation to ascertain the root cause of the explosion and fire, though IOCL officials have refrained from speculating on the exact cause.
As rescue and containment efforts continue, the focus remains on cooling the remaining tanks and ensuring that no further explosions occur. Emergency teams are also working to assess the full extent of the damage caused to the refinery’s infrastructure.
The incident has raised concerns regarding safety protocols at large industrial facilities, particularly in high-risk areas like chemical and petroleum processing plants. While the refinery’s emergency response systems, including the water sprinklers and evacuation procedures, were activated promptly, the scale of the disaster underscores the inherent risks associated with handling volatile substances such as benzene.
Local residents have been advised to stay clear of the refinery as a precautionary measure. The ongoing probe into the cause of the fire is expected to provide more clarity in the coming days. Authorities are urging any individuals with relevant information to come forward to assist with the investigation.
This tragic incident marks another somber chapter in the history of industrial accidents in the region, prompting calls for enhanced safety regulations and more stringent oversight to prevent such disasters in the future.
