Summary:
As per the preliminary information, the workers in the unit and the plant managed to come out and saved their lives.
However, the police suspect some workers might have been injured in the incident.
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A major fire broke out in a unit of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in the Malkapuram area in Vizag city on Tuesday afternoon.
The fire also caused heavy smoke which could be seen from a distance.
The exact reason for the incident is yet to be ascertained.
The incident has triggered panic among the residents of Malkapuram and surrounding areas.
As per the preliminary information, the workers in the unit and the plant managed to come out and saved their lives.
However, the police suspect some workers might have been injured in the incident.
The fire tenders rushed to the spot to control the blaze and it took some time to douse it.
With the sound of blast, the people living close to the HPCL came out from their residences.
The police have rushed to the spot and they are monitoring the operations.
After learning that there was a fire mishap at HPCL, the residents of Vizag city thought it might be a major accident.
However, there was no clarity on the injuries.
It may be recalled that 22 persons died in the blast at HPCL in 1997 and over 25 persons were killed in 2013.
In another incident on July 30, 2017, lightning struck the crude oil tank on the HPCL premises and created panic among the public, though there was no casualty or injuries.
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