Fire breaks out at Visakhapatnam refinery after explosion sounds; no casualties reported

A massive fire broke out at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) refinery in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, following reports of sudden explosion sounds at the facility, triggering panic among residents in nearby areas.

The blaze reportedly started at a sulphur pitch tank, sending flames high into the air and thick plumes of smoke over surrounding neighbourhoods. Visuals from the site showed the fire raging as smoke billowed across the area.

Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi confirmed the incident and said the fire was confined to the tank, with no threat to other sections of the refinery.

HPCL fire tenders and other firefighting teams were deployed to bring the blaze under control. Authorities said the smoke was not considered hazardous and that no deaths had been reported so far.

Firefighting operations are continuing, while officials are closely monitoring the situation.

More details are awaited.