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52 hurt in fire, blasts at Indonesian petrochemical plant
Jakarta, Jan 20: More than 50 people were injured as fire broke out at an Indonesian petrochemicals plant following two explosions, police said today.
Jakarta, Jan 20: More than 50 people were injured as fire broke out at an Indonesian petrochemicals plant following two explosions, police said today.
At least 52 people were taken to hospital with burns as the fire engulfed several chemical tanks at the Petro Widodo premises in Gresik, near the city of Surabaya in east java
province.
"There was the sound of two explosions before a column of black smoke rose into the sky," said Slamet, a duty officer in Gresik.
Gresik district chief detective, Sudibyo, told Elshinta radio some workers might have been trapped by the blaze. The plant employs some 450 people. He said thick black smoke was irritating the eyes of local people. Firefighting efforts using water jets appeared to be ineffective and the fire was spreading further into the compound, he said.
Gresik district Police Chief, Sopandi, told the radio station that the blaze swept through several chemical storage tanks and was now threatening many others containing ammonia. "Only masked firefighters can approach the blaze," Sopandi said. Flames were 50 metres high and smoke could be seen for miles around.
Bureau Report
"There was the sound of two explosions before a column of black smoke rose into the sky," said Slamet, a duty officer in Gresik.
Gresik district chief detective, Sudibyo, told Elshinta radio some workers might have been trapped by the blaze. The plant employs some 450 people. He said thick black smoke was irritating the eyes of local people. Firefighting efforts using water jets appeared to be ineffective and the fire was spreading further into the compound, he said.
Gresik district Police Chief, Sopandi, told the radio station that the blaze swept through several chemical storage tanks and was now threatening many others containing ammonia. "Only masked firefighters can approach the blaze," Sopandi said. Flames were 50 metres high and smoke could be seen for miles around.
Bureau Report