Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) confirmed that an independent investigation has concluded that last month's fire near its manufacturing complex was not caused by its naphtha pipeline system. According to reports from Reuters, the company stated that an independent committee comprising specialists in industrial and fire safety found no evidence of leaks in the company's pipeline network. The investigation committee concluded that the incident was a vapour-cloud fire with a mild explosion caused by an unidentified ignition source. As reported by Reuters, pressure tests carried out on HPL's pipeline, as well as nearby pipelines, found no leaks. The committee's findings provide definitive closure on the cause of the incident that occurred on June 30 near the Haldia Petrochemicals facility in Purba Medinipur district.
The investigation revealed that the flammable material involved was hydrocarbon vapour or gas, and not liquid naphtha, which had initially been suspected to be the source of the fire. HPL's naphtha pipelines at the site of the fire are currently shut due to the incident, according to sources close to the matter cited by Reuters. The company maintained that operations at its plant were not affected by the incident, with the fire breaking out on June 30 near the Haldia Petrochemicals facility in Purba Medinipur district. The investigation committee's findings provide definitive clarity on the nature of the flammable material involved in the blaze.
HPL had earlier stated that the fire occurred at a location where incidents of naphtha theft had been reported in the past. According to the company's statement cited by Reuters, the investigation committee's findings provide clarity on the cause of the incident. The company emphasized that several workers sustained injuries during the blaze, which occurred near the company's manufacturing complex in West Bengal. The company's naphtha pipeline system remains shut as a precautionary measure following the incident, with sources confirming the current operational status.
