Major Refinery Fire Erupts at Visakhapatnam Plant

Flames lit up the night sky at the petroleum facility in Visakhapatnam on Monday following a sudden blaze.

The Incident

Local police confirmed that the accident began around nine forty-five at night within the industrial zone. According to the Malkapuram police station SHO E Narasimha, the fire started at the sulphur storage tank of the plant's Residue Upgradation Facility. Malkapuram inspector Prakash Rao added that internal firefighting teams rushed to the spot immediately and brought the flames under control within one hour.

Safety Measures

Authorities suspended power supply to the affected part of the plant as a precaution and moved personnel to safe zones. Six fire tenders were deployed overall, though local police stated that the facility's internal units handled the situation effectively without needing external aid from other city stations. Videos showing towering columns of fire and thick black smoke quickly spread online, causing panic among residents who rushed out of their homes.

Context

Industrial plants handle large amounts of flammable materials, meaning even minor technical faults can trigger massive blazes that require swift internal emergency responses. Safety protocols at such facilities mandate immediate evacuations and temporary power cuts to prevent secondary accidents while crews work to contain the damage.