HighLights
  1. Massive fire breaks out at Visakhapatnam HPCL refinery.
  2. Explosion reported at sulphur pitch tank inside facility.
  3. Firefighting operations ongoing; no casualties, blaze contained.

Andhra Pradesh: A massive fire erupted at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) refinery in Visakhapatnam on Monday following reports of a sudden explosion at the facility. The fire sent thick, black smoke into the surrounding area, triggering widespread panic among local residents.

ALSO READ: Delhi: 4 Killed, 2 Injured After Massive Fire Breaks Out At Mangolpuri's Shoe Factory

Fire Broke Out At Sulphur Pitch Tank 

According to preliminary reports, the fire broke out at a sulphur pitch tank inside the facility. Visuals from the scene show a towering column of raging flames along with heavy smoke plumes covering the skyline. Firefighting teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze. 

Speaking to NDTV, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said that the fire is confined to the affected tank and poses no threat to other operational units of the refinery. HPCL fire tenders, along with other firefighting teams, are actively working to bring the situation under control.

Authorities have assured that the smoke is non-hazardous, and no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. Emergency teams continue to monitor the site closely. 

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Severe cyclonic storm 'Murasu' is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur on Monday night, and the landfall is expected to stretch from 11:30 PM on November 2 to 4 AM on November 3, the IMD said.

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By 8:30 PM, Murasu was located 60 km east of Kavali, 80 km northeast of Nellore, 90 km southeast of Ongole, 110 km south of Bapatla, 160 km south to southwest of Machilipatnam, 180 km northeast of Tirupati and 210 km north to northeast of Nungambakkam in Chennai.

Under the influence of Cyclone Murasu, the weather department has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers across several places in Andhra Pradesh.


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