It started when tea vendor lit a stove
A huge ball of fire engulfs coconut plantations following explosion of a Gail pipeline. (Photo:Yelabaka Radhakrishna)
Rajahmundry: In a major fire mishap, 15 people, including three children, were killed while 18 others sustained severe burns when a Gas Authority of India Limited pipeline exploded at Nagaram village of Mamidikuduru mandal in East Godavari in the early hours of Friday.
The villagers woke up to the explosion of the pipeline carrying natural gas from Gail’s terminal located in the village to Visakhapatnam to supply to gas-based power projects. Witnesses said that a huge ball of fire engulfed the region within a few seconds. Of the 15 dead, 13 died on the spot while two others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
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The fire engulfed nearly 500 metres and burnt everything within the radius including coconut plantations, houses, small hotels and parked vehicles. Even birds perched on trees could not escape and were burnt to death.
The raging fire also burnt motorists driving along NH-216. A couple and their child on a bike died in the blast along with a cyclist who was passing by. Three persons in a car were also burnt and were admitted in a hospital.
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Meanwhile, Atul Singh, the inspector-general of police, North Coastal district, said that a tea vendor in the village had lit a stove that resulted in the explosion. “A tea vendor lit a stove early on Friday morning and it ignited the gas that had accumulated in the area, leading to a massive explosion. How the gas leaked is still to be investigated,” he said.
Locals said theft of gas from the pipeline was common and that could be one of the reasons.
AP home minister N. Chinna Rajappa blamed Gail. “There was leakage for the past few days. Officials claimed that they had repaired it, however, the leakage continued. Gail and ONGC did not bother to ensure safety,” Mr Rajappa said.
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( Source : dc )
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