IOC depot fire likely to die out tomorrow

The devastating fire which broke out in the Indian Oil Corporation(IOC) depot at Sitapura here on Thursday evening is expected to die out on its own by tomorrow.

Two burning oil tanks continued to billow flames and smoke for the sixth successive day today even as blazes in nine other containers had already died out on their own, District Collector Kuldeep Ranka said.

Now the situation was improving gradually. Barring seven injured, all others who sustained injuries in the inferno had been discharged from hospitals, Mr Ranka said.

Most of the people, who were evacuated from nearby villages and colonies, had already returned home from shelters camps. Only around 50 people were now left in two camps, he added.

The devastating fire left 11 people dead and over 100 injured.

While the IOC depot was completely gutted, around 150 industries in adjoining Sitapura area and several houses and shops in the neighbourhood also sustained damage in the fire.

According to IOC spokesman, the oil company suffered a loss to stocks and properties worth Rs 300 crore. Besides this, Rs 200 crore would be required to build new depot.

Meanwhile, police were investigating an allegation of negligence of IOC authorities which had reportedly led to the inferno tragedy. An FIR has already been lodged with police by a factory owner against IOC officials. The seven member MB Lal committee set up by the Centre for probing into the reasons and circumstances of the fire has also started its inquiry.

-- (UNI) -- 03DR114.xml

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