Three hurt in blast at IOC plant in Guwahati

At least three persons were injured in an accidental blast and fire at the LPG bottlingplant in Guwahati refinery complex of IOC tonight.

The blast took place at 7.20 pm and caused a huge fire in the refinery complex. The three employees who were nearby suffered minor injuries, Kamarup (metro) deputy commissioner R Agnihotri said.

Fire tenders of the refinery and fire engines were rushed to the spot in Noonmati area. “The fire has now been doused,” Agnihotri said. “Preliminary investigation shows it was an accidental LPG blast,” the deputy commissioner said, adding an inquiry would be held to ascertain its cause.

The injured have been shifted to the Gauhati Medical College Hospital.

The Paresh Baruah faction of United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) has claimed responsibility for the explosion. “We triggered the blast. The attack was part of our routine exercises against exploitation by India,” Ulfa publicity secretary, Arunadoy Dehotia, said in an email statement.

Police have ruled out the outfit’s claim, while IOC authorities when contacted said the reason for the blast was yet to be ascertained.