Mon Nov 11 18:26:44 UTC 2024: ## Fire at IOCL Refinery in Vadodara Claims One Life, Two Injured
**Vadodara, Gujarat:** A major fire broke out at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery in Nandesari town, Vadodara district, on Monday afternoon following an explosion, resulting in one fatality and two injuries.
The fire erupted around 3:30 pm in a Benzene Storage Tank, according to an IOCL statement. While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, the refinery’s emergency response team has been actively battling the blaze with firefighting operations underway.
The incident claimed the life of one IOCL employee who succumbed to burn injuries, while two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital, said Vadodara Commissioner of Police Narasimha Komar.
Adding to the severity, two more explosions were reported from inside the refinery between 6 pm and 8:30 pm, further escalating the situation.
Firefighters from Vadodara Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) are continuously working to bring the fire under control, with cooling processes ongoing. One VFES personnel suffered minor burn injuries while fighting the flames, but is continuing on duty, confirmed Chief Fire Officer Nikunj Azad.
Responding to the incident, 11 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and additional foam fire tenders were summoned from Ankleshwar in Bharuch district as a precaution. Vadodara District Collector Bijal Shah confirmed that evacuations within the refinery have been completed, and surrounding residential areas are not currently facing any danger.
IOCL officials are gathering details on employees who may have been in danger, assuring the public that the safety of employees and surrounding communities remains their top priority. The refinery operations are reported to be normal, with further updates promised as the situation develops.
Senior police officials, the District Collector, and teams from the Industrial Disaster Response have visited the site. Traffic police personnel have been deployed to manage traffic and disperse panicked residents gathering near the site.
First Piper 