Around 43 workers were injured after a boiler blast in the hydrocracker in the refinery of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at 3 pm on Wednesday in Chembur, Mumbai. A massive explosion was heard in the surrounding area that the locals felt like an earthquake for a while. Its tremors shook windows of nearby buildings. The sound of the explosion was so strong that it was heard till Ghatkopar and Sion. After the explosion, there was a massive fire and smoke. The local citizens now fears for their health.
Hydrocracker spread huge fire and smoke
Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and some private company’s refineries are there in the Mahul in Chembur. The raw oil is processed in these refineries. At 3 pm, the explosion in BPCL’s hydrocracker spread huge fire and smoke. There was a big panic in the area after the explosion. As soon as the explosion happened, 16 fire engine of the Mumbai Fire Brigade promptly rushed to the spot.
Hydrocracker cylinder controled in midnight
Since BPCL has its own fire fighting system, only two fire engines were admitted inside. All the remaining vehicles were outside. Fire brigade personnel tried hard to control the fire, after four hour struggle, the fire was under control. But the fire in hydrocracker cylinder was control in late night. The police kept tight security and did not allow anyone to enter company premise area.
Injured employees admitted in Sushrut hospital
More than 25 ambulances in Chembur, Kurla and Wadala were immediately rushed to the spot. It was very difficult to bring the employees stuck inside the comany as the fire was huge. However, the BPCL fire brigade personnel took them out with great courage. 43 employees of the company were injured in the blast. 22 of them were treated at BPCL Medical Center and discharged. The remaining 22 were admitted to Sushrut Hospital in Chembur. The injured have been treated promptly and their condition is stable. One of them is critical; he has been shifted to Shatabdi Hospital in Chembur for further treatment.
