Visakhapatnam refinery hit by major fire near oil tank

The flames reportedly erupted near a tank containing Ruf Pitch Oil and rose to considerable heights, attracting the attention of people travelling along adjoining roads.VISAKHAPATNAM: A massive fire broke out at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd's (HPCL) Visakh Refinery on Monday evening, triggering panic in the surrounding industrial areas of Malkapuram and Sriharipuram.The flames reportedly erupted near a tank containing Ruf Pitch Oil and rose to considerable heights, attracting the attention of people travelling along adjoining roads.Several commuters recorded videos of the incident on their mobile phones. The videos subsequently went viral on social media, causing anxiety among residents in the vicinity.According to preliminary information from HPCL sources, no injuries or casualties were reported. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established.Rumours of an explosion in the oil tank spread across the industrial area. However, HPCL sources indicated that the possibility of a tank explosion was considered low. Officials were examining the circumstances that led to the fire.Ruf Pitch Oil is an intermediate product used in the manufacture of bitumen.