3 CISF jawans among 4 killed in Mumbai ONGC plant blaze
At least four persons were killed in massive fire that broke out in a storm water drainage network at the ONGC’S gas processing plant in Uran and Navi Mumbai, say officials
At least four persons, including three CISF jawans, were killed in a massive fire that broke out in a storm water drainage network at the ONGC’S oil and gas processing plant in Uran, Navi Mumbai, officials said here on Tuesday.
An official of Navi Mumbai Police Control said that besides the four fatalities, some more were feared injured in the tragedy.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans of the Fire Wing (ONGC Unit), who were killed in the line of duty, are E. Nayaka, MK Paswan and SP Kushwaha.
“The CISF salutes the supreme sacrifice of CISF Fire Wing bravehearts who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty during the fire-fighting operations at ONGC Uran, Navi Mumbai,” the CISF said in a tribute.
It added that the CISF will be forever indebted for their bravery and commitment.
Earlier, clouds of dark smoke were seen billowing out of the conflagration on the ONGC premises ater the fire erupted at around 7 a.m.
“The fire is being contained. No impact on oil processing and gas diverted to Hazira plants. The situationisbeingassessed,”anongcspokesperson told IANS. Besides the ONGC’S own fire service and crisis management teams, fire-fighters from Uran, JNPT, Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas rushed to batle the blaze. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
The blaze was brought under control ater nearly three hours and cooling operations are underway at the site.
In a fallout of the fire, gas supplies of both PNG and CNG were severely hit in Mumbai, according to Mahanagar Gas Ltd. (MGL).
The Mahanagar Gas Ltd, which supplies domestic, industrial and vehicular gas, said that gas supply to its City Gate Station, Wadala, has been badly affected.
“We are ensuring that supply to domestic PNG consumers is maintained on priority without interruption.
However, many CNG stations in Mumbai may not operate due to low pressure in the pipeline,” the spokesperson said.
Accordingly, the MGL has advised industrial and commercial customers to switch over to alternate fuel till the gas supplies across MGL’S network is restored by ONGC. It was not immediately clear when the gas supplies would be restored.
The MGL network is spread across entire Mumbai, parts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad, serving lakhs of domestic, industrial and other consumers.
In Mumbai, nearly 7 lakh vehicles, including taxis, autorickshaws and public transport buses run on CNG fuel while 12 lakh homes have PNG connectivity. Mahanagar Gas Limited’s (MGL) supply both CNG and PNG in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
“Due to a major fire at ONGC’S gas processing facility at Uran today morning, gas supply to MGL’S city gate station at Wadala has been severely affected,” said a MGL statement.
MGL also informed that some CNG pumps are shut due to the supply problem though they are maintaining PNG supply with priority. “MGL is ensuring that supply to its domestic PNG consumers would be maintained on priority without interruption.
However, many CNG stations, across Mumbai may not operate due to low pressure in the pipeline,” the statement added.
Industrial and commercial customers have been advised to switch to alternative fuel. “Gas supplies across MGL’S network will normalize once the supply of natural gas from ONGC is restored,” said MGL.
Last month too, CNG and PNG supply in Mumbai was hit for few days due to some technical issue at ONGC plant.
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, which runs the plant, said on Twiter that the fire started in the storm water drainage in the plant and was doused within two hours. More than 20 fire engines rushed to the scene in Navi Mumbai township near India’s financial capital of Mumbai.
Lalit Jha, an officer of the Central Industrial Security Force, said the workers first detected a gas leakage and called for fire officers while trying to close a pipe valve.
“There was a blast killing three CISF firefighters and one assistant general manager of the ONGC,” he told reporters. The explosion started a fire and thick smoke engulfed the area.
The state-owned ONGC is India’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company. It said that there was no impact on oil processing in the plant and that the supply of gas was diverted to another plant.