Fire at Indian Oil Depot at Jaipur still blazing, extinguishes the lives of nine persons
merisarkar news service
New Delhi, October 30, 2009
Authorities have moved foam-carrying fire tenders from Mathura, Panipat and Ahmedabad to douse the fire raging for more than 18 hours at the Indian Oil Corp's fuel depot in Jaipur. Six employees have been killed by the fire and many labourers have been feared trapped at the site.
The fire, which started due to a leakage in one of the valves on Thursday evening continues to rage in five of the 13 tanks that stored petrol, diesel and kerosene.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, who flew in to the city early this morning, said, there is not much that can be done and the authorities would have to wait to consume itself.
He said, the IOC will give an ex-gratia of 10 lakh rupees to the kin of those killed in the fire and 2 lakh rupees to those seriously injured, while one lakh will be given to those with minor injuries.
Mr. Deora also informed that a five-member committee headed by M B Lal, former Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Petroleum will go into the cause of the fire and suggest holistic safety measures. The committee, will submit its report in six weeks.
