Fire in IPCL unit

VADODARA, Sept 27: Close on the heels of a blast in the recently-commissioned PVC plant of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited's (I...

VADODARA, Sept 27: Close on the heels of a blast in the recently-commissioned PVC plant of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited’s (IPCL) complex at Dahej in Bharuch district, a major fire broke out on the top of the ethylene fractionation column early Monday morning. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

According to an official IPCL spokesman, the fire broke out during the pre-commissioning of the gas-cracker unit around 6.50 a.m. The flames leapt several metres high and could be seen by people from large distances, according to local sources.

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However, no one was injured in the mishap and the fire was extinguished immediately with the help of IPCL’s own fire-tenders, as well as those borrowed from nearby industries including Birla Copper.

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According to IPCL’s manager (corporate communications) Devendra Amin, prompt action was taken and the column was immediately shut down. All other plants of the complex were also shut down as a precautionary measure. The top of the columns appears to have been affected by the fire, but the extent of damage could not be ascertained immediately, said Amin. All other gas-cracker equipment remained unaffected. The cause of the fire also also remains unknown.

Production was stopped temporarily after the fire. It is likely to resume from Tuesday, said Amin.

Senior officials including Chairman and Managing Director K G Ramanathan rushed to Dahej after hearing about the mishap.