A massive fire has been reported from a bio-diesel manufacturing unit, Biomax Fuels Limited (BFL) , in Duvvada area of the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ), in this Andhra Pradesh city. The officials have stated that there have been no casualties in the tragic incident.
A huge fire blared at Biomax Fuels Limited, a bio-diesel facility, near Visakhapatnam, in Duvvada, special economic zonal region. Nearly 40 fire engines were dispatched for controlling the blazing fire that had started within the premises of Biomax, at about 7.30 Pm. The Police stated that nearly 18 tanks which were full of fuel and raw materials were lying at the manufacturing unit and about 12 of them, caught fire.
This fire went out of control and went blazing on. An aerial recce with the help of a navy aircraft confirmed that on Wednesday morning there were still 8 tanks which were spewing fire at Biomax. The flames from the fire were still noticed by bystanders stated the reports. According to the firefighters, there is no option but to wait till the fuel fire burns itself out before they can take over and do something. Eye witnesses have said that they saw 6 oil tankers explode in the fire.
District Fire Officer J M Rao, has announced “Eight fire engines reached the spot and two fire engines with chemical foam were requisitioned from HPCL and Eastern Naval Command to put off the fire.” Biomax Fuels Ltd, the bio-diesel manufacturing unit has a capacity of producing five lakh tonnes of this flammable material from multi-feedstock at VSEZ, say the dailies. Nearly 15 employees were working at the site of the fire but they managed to get out safe and sound.
A loss of about Rs 120 crore has been reported though the real cause of the fire has not been discovered. Each tank with bio-diesel is supposed to hold a total of about 3000 liters and the tanks that burnt up were said to be about 30-70% full. Ravindra, Indian Navy Commander, has assured “We have sent eight fire extinguishers, will see what best we can do.”
Ganta Srinivasa Rao, the Human Resources Development Minister went to the fire scene right away and the authorities have stated “Quick coordination among the firefighting agencies managed to save six of the tanks from the blaze.”
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had a talk with the naval authorities, the top district civil people and the police officials.
The increasing heat and high temperatures may be a cause to worry as it can cause these kinds of accidents to happen.
