Haldia (Gurpreet Singh): A devastating fire broke out at a naphtha pipeline connected to the Haldia refinery in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district early Tuesday morning, resulting in injuries to more than ten individuals and destroying multiple homes. The emergency began around 2:45 a.m. when the flames were first detected. The fire quickly intensified, spreading into the nearby Chiranjibpur neighbourhood within ward 13 of the Haldia Municipality and trapping residents as it consumed local houses.
A massive emergency response was initiated, with twelve fire engines rushed to the site to battle the inferno. Firefighters worked tirelessly through the morning to bring the flames under control and prevent further spread into the dense residential zone. First responders successfully pulled the injured from the danger zone and transported them to the Haldia Sub-Divisional Hospital for immediate care.
As medical teams assessed the victims, five patients required more intensive care and were transferred to the Tamluk Medical College and Hospital. A local police officer confirmed that two of these transferred individuals remain in critical condition. Beyond the residential damage, the intense heat and flames severely compromised overhead railway lines near the pipeline, forcing an immediate suspension and disruption of local train services. Law enforcement has cordoned off the entire sector, noting that a comprehensive investigation will commence to pinpoint the exact cause of the leak and subsequent ignition once the area is fully cooled and safe.
