2 more bodies recovered from IOC depot area

Jaipur, Oct 31 : Two more bodies were recovered from Indian Oil Corporation(IOC) depot here today taking the official toll in the one of the worst petro-fire tragedy, to seven.

However, the toll might be higher as six IOC officials reported missing were also feared to be killed.

According to hospital sources, two bodies were recovered and brought to the SMS Hospital here this morning. They were yet to be identified.

A fire brigade official said here today that intensity of fire which threw life out-of-gear in several villages and colonies adjoining to the Sitapura on the outskirts of the capital town for two days, now decreased slightly.

However, flames were still raging high and it might take some more time to die off, he added.

Accordingly, fire brigade units deployed there since Thursday evening started narrowing their circle around the burning depot zone.

Meanwhile, balls of fire from burning oil containers in the depot area spread out fire in neighbouring factory area last night but alert fire tenders immediately extinguished the flames.

As many as 12 people were feared killed in the devastating fire which broke around 19 30 hrs last evening with loud bang probably due to leakage in the petrol pipeline.

The fire gutted one dozen containers of petroleum products.

Several buildings, including IOC depot headquarters, a vehicle show room and some shops and houses in the neighbourhood were damaged badly.

Nearby villages, colonies, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Hospital and hostels in nearby institutional area were evacuated.

The Centre has announced an exgratia of Rs 10 lakh to next of kin of each deceased, Rs two lakh to seriously injured and Rs one lakh to other injured.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also announced Rs two lakh to next of kin of each deceased, Rs one lakh to seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to other injured.

Train and road traffic on Jaipur-Kota route passing along the depot depot site, was also affected adversely.

An inquiry committee headed by former IOC Chairman Mahesh B Lal has also been constituted to probe into reasons and circumstances of fire and would submit report by six weeks.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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