New Delhi: A major fire broke out in a naphtha pipeline at Haldia Petrochemicals in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district early Tuesday, leaving more than 10 people seriously injured and causing extensive damage to nearby residential areas and railway infrastructure.
According to police and administrative officials, the fire was first reported at around 2:45 am after flames suddenly erupted from the highly inflammable naphtha pipeline. The blaze spread rapidly to the Chiranjibpur area under Ward No. 13 of Haldia Municipality, engulfing several nearby houses.
Following the incident, 12 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and firefighting operations continued for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
A senior police official said the injured were immediately shifted to Haldia Sub-Divisional Hospital. Five critically injured persons were later referred to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital, where two remain in critical condition.
As a precautionary measure, authorities sealed the affected area while emergency teams continued rescue and firefighting operations. Officials said the exact cause of the fire would be determined only after a detailed investigation.
The fire also damaged overhead electric lines and other railway infrastructure near the site, forcing the suspension of rail services in the affected section until restoration work is completed.
