More than 20 people were injured after a major fire erupted in a naphtha pipeline operated by Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district early on Tuesday, Press Trust of India reported.

The fire broke out between 4-4:30 am and spread rapidly to Chiranjibpur in ward 13 under Haldia Municipality. Several houses in the area were engulfed in the blaze, triggering emergency response efforts.

Firefighting operations underway

Authorities deployed 12 fire tenders to control the fire. Rescue teams evacuated those affected and shifted the injured to Haldia Sub-Divisional Hospital for treatment.

PTI quoted a police official as saying that five of the injured were later referred to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Two of them were reported to be in critical condition.

“The area has been secured, and firefighting operations are continuing. The exact cause of the incident will be known only after a detailed investigation,” a police officer told PTI.

The fire also damaged overhead railway infrastructure near the incident site, disrupting train movement, officials said. 
In a statement issued after the incident, HPL said initial findings suggest the fire may have started near an unauthorised naphtha theft point located close to its plant.

The company said naphtha is a highly combustible and extremely flammable hydrocarbon and highlighted the risks linked to illegal access or handling of petroleum products. It added that local communities have been repeatedly warned about the dangers involved.

“It would be premature to comment further or attribute responsibility until the investigation is complete,” the company said, adding that it would continue to fully cooperate with investigating agencies.