Guwahati: A devastating fire today broke
out near the Indian Oil Corporation's Guwahati Refinery,
official sources said.
Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Prateek Hajela said
that the fire broke out around 6 am near the Carbon Gate of
the refinery.
Several houses were gutted though there was no report
of any casualty or injury, he said.
Seven fire tenders were pressed into service to
control the fire which was finally contained after two hours
though thick smoke still enveloped the area.
The fire was suspected to have been caused by a spark
near a leaking crude oil-carrying pipeline, Hajela said.
Refinery authorities, however, refused to ascertain
the cause of the fire.
Locals also alleged that it was caused by a spark in
the effluents released by the refinery in the bypass drain.
The exact loss due to the fire was yet to be
ascertained though it may be to the tune of several lakhs of
rupees, sources said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 11, 2010, 16:03