IOC blaze enters fifth day; toll rises to 12

The fire at the Indian Oil Corp fuel depot near Jaipur continued to rage for the fifth day today. Two of the 11 IOC fuel storage tanks are still burning, even as a body was dug out of the debris and another man injured in the inferno succumbed to injuries, taking the toll in the blaze to 12.

Over 50 locals residing in the vicinity of the fuel depot at Sitapura have reported to various hospitals complaining of itching, burning eyes, suffocation, and skin allergies due to the fire, which broke out on Thursday.

Chief fire officer Ishwarlal Jat said the blaze in the two petrol tanks has reduced considerably, but it will probably take one more day for it to completely die down. Efforts would be made to douse the fire in remaining two tanks by fire fighters, he said.

According to media reports, intense heat caused the blast of two barrels of lubricants on Sunday. Also, the fire had spread to the roof of the building of private electronic and instrument company Genus, 200 metres from the IOC complex wall. However, firemen extinguished it within two hours.

Schools and colleges, which have been closed for the past few days, are likely to reopen on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government directed state officials on Sunday night to prepare a survey report and prepare a follow-up action plan with regard to the massive fire.