15 Injured as Fire Erupts at Haldia Refinery in India’s West Bengal

KOLKOTA, Jun 30: At least 15 people were injured after a massive fire broke out in a naphtha pipeline at the Haldia Refinery in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal early Tuesday.

The blaze erupted between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., with flames engulfing the pipeline and injuring several workers who were on duty in the area. Some of the victims reportedly sustained serious burn injuries.

Factory authorities and local residents rushed to the scene, while emergency responders rescued the injured and transported them to Haldia Sub-divisional Hospital for treatment. Hospital officials said the condition of some of the injured is critical.

Naphtha is a highly flammable petroleum product used in the production of fuels such as gasoline and kerosene, making pipeline fires particularly hazardous.

The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed, and authorities have launched an investigation. Further details are awaited.