At least 21 persons were injured in a massive fire that broke out in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) refinery at Chembur in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
According to local eyewitnesses, the fire, which was followed by a series of loud explosions, and a thick black smoke could be seen from several km away.
BPCL spokesperson said the fire erupted in the compressor shed of a hydrocracker plant within the plant complex.
“The fire is still on but under control. It is being fought by the BPCL firefighters team,” said the spokesperson.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade also sent at least a dozen fire tenders and five jumbo tankers to battle the blaze.
The 21 injured persons were given first aid at the BPCL Medical Centre and later shifted to a hospital for further treatment.
The cause of the mishap is not known.
There are several residential colonies and slums around the BPCL plant.
Earlier on Wednesday, a level-3 fire broke out at a refinery of Bharat Petroleum at Mahul road plant in Chembur area of Mumbai after explosions in afternoon, a Fire Brigade official said.
The plant on Mahul road in Chembur area of Mumbai caught fire around 3 pm and it was confined to the hydrogen tank in the refinery, the official said.
There were no reports of any injury so far, he added.
According to media reports, seven fire engines and two foam tenders have been pressed into service to douse the blaze.
(with input from agencies)