Vijay Singh
New Delhi [India], June 30: There are safety measures in place for those working in a petroleum products facility, but accidents involving highly flammable materials can have far-reaching consequences. They not only compromise the safety of workers and local residents but can also disrupt transport and industrial operations. These risks have once again come into focus after a major fire at Haldia Petrochemicals in West Bengal on Tuesday.
A fire at a naphtha-carrying pipeline of Haldia Petrochemicals in Purba Medinipur district injured over 10 people in the early hours of Tuesday. Once a portion of the pipeline caught fire, firefighters and emergency personnel were rushed to the site to contain the blaze.
Haldia Petrochemicals said in a statement that preliminary information suggests the incident may have occurred near an unauthorized naphtha theft point located close to the plant. However, the company emphasized that the exact cause remains under investigation.
“Naphtha is a highly combustible and extremely flammable hydrocarbon and the company has always warned local communities of any unauthorized access to or handling of petroleum products because of the serious health and safety risks involved,” the company said.
Those injured were rescued and admitted to Haldia Sub-Divisional Hospital. Later, five of them were shifted to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Details on the severity of the injuries have not yet been released.
Emergency crews remained at the site for several hours, battling the flames and working to bring the fire under control. Given the nature of naphtha, responders took additional precautions to prevent the fire from spreading and to secure the surrounding area.
The incident also disrupted railway operations in the region. Officials said train services were suspended as a precaution because the fire occurred close to railway infrastructure. The full impact on rail movement was not immediately disclosed.
Haldia Petrochemicals said it is cooperating with the relevant authorities investigating the incident.
The company said the exact cause of the incident is under investigation in coordination with the relevant authorities and that it would be premature to comment further or attribute responsibility until the investigation is complete.
While the investigation is still in its early stages, the possibility of an unauthorized fuel theft point highlights a recurring challenge for petroleum pipeline operators. Illegal tapping of fuel pipelines has been reported in different parts of the country over the years, posing serious safety risks as well as financial losses. Because naphtha is extremely flammable, even a small leak or ignition source can trigger a major fire.
The incident is also a reminder of the importance of protecting critical industrial infrastructure. Facilities handling hazardous materials require regular monitoring, inspections and robust security measures, particularly when located near residential areas or transport corridors.
Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed technical assessment of the damaged pipeline before determining the cause of the fire. The findings could also help identify whether additional safety or security measures are needed at the site.
For now, the focus remains on treating the injured, completing firefighting operations, and restoring normal railway services. The investigation is expected to provide greater clarity on what led to the incident and whether further preventive measures will be required.
