MUMBAI, Aug 2: In the second industrial accident in less than two months, a fire broke out in a pipeline carrying naphtha at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) refinery, Mahul on Sunday.The fire occurred due to a leak in a three inch-long naphtha pipeline, which was being welded electrically in the oil and supply unit at around 11 am. A contract labourer sustained burns and was rushed to Sion Hospital, said HPCL officials. The fire was brought under control by the fire brigade and firefighting units of the HPCL and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). Eight fire engines and five water tankers were deployed to extinguish the fire.HPCL officials have set up a committee to inquire into the cause of the fire. Production at the refinery has not been affected and all units were working normally, stated Deputy General Manager, personnel and administration, D L Hota.Last month, a major industrial disaster had been averted after a fire broke out at the naphtha processing plant of theBharat Petroleum Corporation Refinery at Mahul, Chembur. However, no casualties were reported. Preliminary investigations had revealed that a leakage in the mechanical seal in one of the centrifugal pumps had ignited.
