Kolkata, Apr 21(BNP): Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has issued an official update regarding a fire incident that occurred on April 20, 2026, at the refinery of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), its joint venture facility.
The incident took place in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) section of the refinery. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been caused by leakage of hydrocarbons from a valve and/or flange within the heat exchanger circuit. The fire remained localized within the heat exchanger stack.
Upon detection, the refinery’s emergency response team acted swiftly to contain the situation. The Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), along with the Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) and other associated units in the section, were immediately isolated as a precautionary measure. HPCL confirmed that all units remain structurally safe and unaffected, and no other sections of the refinery experienced any impact.
The fire was successfully brought under control without any loss of life or injury to personnel. The company has initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and to implement necessary corrective measures.
HPCL further stated that the financial and operational impact of the incident is currently under assessment and, based on initial evaluation, is not expected to be material.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, HPCL emphasized its focus on maintaining robust operational standards, efficient emergency response systems, and adherence to the highest industry safety protocols.
The company continues to monitor the situation closely while ensuring all necessary steps are taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
