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The massive that fire erupted at the Indian Oil Corporation's fuel depot in Sitapura industrial area on the outskirts of JAIPUR on Thursday night is still raging.
Six people have been killed and 150 are injured. Five lakh residents around the area have been moved to safer locations, including hostellers of 10 engineering and medical colleges.
The army has been deployed to handle the situation.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora reached Jaipur on Friday morning. "Experts from Mathura have been called in to help," he said before leaving.
The fire is said to have erupted due to leakage in petrol pipeline.
Compensation of Rs 5-10 lakh has been announced for the victims.
The fire broke out at about 7.30 pm on Thursday evening when petrol was reportedly being transferred.
Within minutes two dozen fire extinguishers were rushed to the spot but given the 80 lakh litres of petroleum products in the depot the fire spread, rapidly engulfing the entire depot. Soon the state government was forced to seek help from the Union Petroleum Ministry.
"It is a terrible blaze. I have spoken to the petroleum minister who is sending a team of officials to the site," said Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajastan.
The blaze could be seen from up to 20 km. The surrounding area has been evacuated and power cut off. The injured have been rushed to three major hospitals of Jaipur including the SMS hospital.
"All the factories and institution operating from the Sitapura industrial area have been asked to shift manpower to a different location. I have spoken to the DGM IOC about bringing the fire under control. The injured have been admitted to the SMS hospital, " said DM Kuldeep Ranka.
"I was working when there was a sudden explosion. All the glass around us was shattered and it fell on us. We ran away from the spot," said one of the injured.
While all the 12 tanks in the IOC depot caught fire, a larger tragedy was averted as the LPG cylinders remained safe. The IOC says it will let the fuel burn itself out. People are keeping their fingers crossed that soon the worst will be over.
The massive that fire erupted at the Indian Oil Corporation's fuel depot in Sitapura industrial area on the outskirts of JAIPUR on Thursday night is still raging.
Six people have been killed and 150 are injured. Five lakh residents around the area have been moved to safer locations, including hostellers of 10 engineering and medical colleges.
The army has been deployed to handle the situation.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora reached Jaipur on Friday morning. "Experts from Mathura have been called in to help," he said before leaving.
The fire is said to have erupted due to leakage in petrol pipeline.
Compensation of Rs 5-10 lakh has been announced for the victims.
The fire broke out at about 7.30 pm on Thursday evening when petrol was reportedly being transferred.
Within minutes two dozen fire extinguishers were rushed to the spot but given the 80 lakh litres of petroleum products in the depot the fire spread, rapidly engulfing the entire depot. Soon the state government was forced to seek help from the Union Petroleum Ministry.
"It is a terrible blaze. I have spoken to the petroleum minister who is sending a team of officials to the site," said Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajastan.
The blaze could be seen from up to 20 km. The surrounding area has been evacuated and power cut off. The injured have been rushed to three major hospitals of Jaipur including the SMS hospital.
"All the factories and institution operating from the Sitapura industrial area have been asked to shift manpower to a different location. I have spoken to the DGM IOC about bringing the fire under control. The injured have been admitted to the SMS hospital, " said DM Kuldeep Ranka.
"I was working when there was a sudden explosion. All the glass around us was shattered and it fell on us. We ran away from the spot," said one of the injured.
While all the 12 tanks in the IOC depot caught fire, a larger tragedy was averted as the LPG cylinders remained safe. The IOC says it will let the fuel burn itself out. People are keeping their fingers crossed that soon the worst will be over.
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