3 member committee to probe fire mishap at RTP

3 member committee to probe fire mishap at RTP
V K Gupta December 30th, 2012
Sunday December 30, 2012
Ropar
A three member committee has been constituted to probe fire mishap & blast at furnace oil tank of Ropar thermal plant.
A major tragedy was averted at Ropar thermal plant after furnace oil tank exploded on Saturday late evening. The bursting of furnace oil tank led to major fire that was controlled by 10 fire tenders from Ropar, Nangal and Mohali. Heavy furnace oil in the tank was completely burnt before fire was extinguished after six hours.
According to official sources the quantity oil level in HFO tank was low with a dip of about 1.4 meters. The oil burnt was about 200 kiloliter worth Rs. 1.25 crore. The very high pressure devolved inside HFO tank no. 2 which led bursting of oil tank and blowing of its top.
How the high pressure was devolved inside is a cause of concern & matter of investigation , said an official. Even fire hydrants installed failed to operate after hydrant pipe was damaged by falling top of tank at a distance. The manpower shortage at fire station is also a matter of concern.
Director Generation visited the plant and three member team to investigate the incidence. The committee will be headed by K Lal Chief Engineer Ropar thermal plant. The other members of the committee are J K Gupta Dy. CE operation Lehra Mohabatt thermal & R K Jindal Dy. CE Mechanical Maintenance.
A New Year party was going on at the officers club at plant site when the explosion in oil tank followed by major fire occurred. The Deputy Commissioner Ropar was also present at the function.