Two Dead, Three Injured in IOCL Blast

Vadodara : Two employees died and more than three others sustained serious burns injuries in a major blast at the benzene storage tank of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at Vadodara on Monday afternoon. 

The employees identified as Shailesh Makwana and Hemant Makwana, who were working in the benzene storage plant of the IOCL Vadodara died in the major blast, while three others sustained serious burns injuries. The victims are undergoing treatment at the Vadodara hospital.

IOCL in a statement said that the fire broke out in a benzene storage tank at Gujarat Refinery on Monday at around 3.30 pm. The refinery’s emergency response team tried to control the fire. After a fire broke out in IOCL with a huge blast, it was extinguished. While trying to put out the fire in one tank, another tank caught fire. That is why the second blast took place after 9 pm. The fire brigade was called from another district as the fire spread to another tank as well. The IOCL has ordered a high-level inquiry into the fire incident at the benzene storage plant. 

After 12 hours of efforts by more than 30 firefighters at IOCL in Vadodara, the fierce fire has finally been brought under control. The hard work of the firemen of different districts has paid off. The raging fire was eventually brought under control with the AFFF foaming system. According to the information, the first blast took place in Gujarat Refinery in the afternoon and the second one late at night. After that, the fire department announced a brigade call. After this, teams of fire brigades from many areas immediately reached the refinery. 

Fire sources said that the fire had been totally brought under control in the early morning hours of Tuesday. 

DCP Abhay Soni said, the fire broke out in the refinery after the blast and two employees have died. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post mortem and the cause of the death will be know later. A case of accidental death has been registered in this matter. The help of FSL has been taken.

The families of the deceased employees reached the gate of the refinery with their children. Social workers have also reached  for their help. A tight police presence has been arranged to prevent the situation from deteriorating further on Tuesday morning.

Gayathriben Makwana, wife of the deceased Shailesh Makwana, said that we will sit on dharna until the senior officers of the refinery come out. Both my children are saying when will dad come, when will dad come. How should I answer them? Despite such a big incident, no call came from the refinery officials.