Overview
- The naphtha pipeline at Haldia Petrochemicals ignited early on Tuesday and the blaze spread rapidly into the Chiranjibpur residential area, engulfing nearby homes and prompting mass evacuations.
- At least two people have died and more than 20 were treated for burn injuries, with several patients transferred to hospitals in Kolkata for critical care.
- Firefighters used foam and fly ash and brought the blaze under control after about 18 hours, and crews continue sustained cooling to prevent re-ignition while the main source of naphtha is isolated.
- The inferno damaged overhead railway equipment and forced suspension or alteration of local train services on the Haldia–Panskura/Durgachak routes, disrupting commuter traffic until repairs were completed.
- Haldia Petrochemicals and district authorities have opened separate investigations, noting preliminary information that the fire occurred near a suspected unauthorised naphtha theft point and warning that forensic and technical probes will determine cause and any liability.