HPCL godown gutted in TN, Rs10 cr lost

A major fire broke out on Sunday in a Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) lube godown at Korukkupet in Chennai.

“Twenty-five fire engines brought the fire under control in one-and-a-half hours. The godown was completely gutted. The fire reportedly caused damage worth Rs10 crore,” sources at the venue told DNA. 

“One person suffered an electric shock from the overhead electric traction when he was trying to put out the fire. He fell unconscious and was immediately rushed to hospital where he is now undergoing treatment,” sources added.

There was smoke emanating from the HPCL premises before an explosion was heard. “Initially, we thought that somebody must have been lighting fire crackers. But then there was an explosion and we saw flames leaping up in the sky. We quickly fled from the vicinity,” sources said. 

“Fire tenders had a tough time trying to bring the fire under control. It is fortunate that the fire was controlled before it could spread to adjacent units including the Indian Oil Corporation facility,” sources said.

HPCL general manager R Radhakrishnan visited the spot and assured that this incident wouldn’t affect the supply of petrol and diesel. “This is a major facility for HPCL in Chennai. But, the fire broke out in the lube godown and we were able to isolate it from the rest of the units. The cause for the fire will be known only after an investigation,” he said.

Meanwhile, train services to Delhi and Andhra Pradesh were delayed by more than two hours as the oil facilities are located near the railway tracks. “The services were resumed after the fire was completely put out,” southern railway sources said.