Vadodara refinery partially closed after fire incident

A closure notice has been issued to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for the storage tank area at Gujarat Refinery in Koyli, near Vadodara, following a massive fire incident on Monday. The fire broke out in the storage area, resulting in two fatalities, with one person injured.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with experts from various central and state government agencies working together to determine the exact cause. 

While the cause remains undetermined, the central and state government agencies, including the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), and the State Government’s Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) department, have launched an investigation.

The refinery’s storage tank farm, covering an area of 5,000 sq m, has been placed under a prohibitory order by DISH. This order restricts the use of the area until further notice, meaning the refinery will not be able to use this space for any operations. 

However, the safe areas remain available for use. The closure notice has been issued under the provisions of the Factories Act.

Cleaning efforts are still underway at the site of the fire, and a full inspection of the area has not yet been conducted due to the hazardous conditions near the tank.

What had happened?

A massive fire broke out on Monday at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Vadodara, resulting in two deaths.

The fire, which broke out due to an explosion in a 1,000 KL benzene storage tank, was doused after a 12-hour-long effort on Monday.

Two workers, Dhimant Makwana and Shailesh Makwana lost their lives in the incident. 

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Two killed in fire at Indian Oil refinery in Vadodara