A major fire broke out early Friday morning at the Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and triggering an emergency response, according to a News18 report.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to bring the blaze under control, though not before it damaged critical cables and machinery, disrupting production.
According to plant officials, the fire was caused by an oil leak in Machine-2, which was ignited by sparks, quickly spreading to nearby equipment, the Deccan Chronicle reported. Workers in the vicinity reported panic as flames and dense smoke engulfed the unit, prompting immediate evacuation efforts.
"No casualties have been reported, but the impact on production is significant," a plant spokesperson confirmed. Inspector Kesavarao of the Steel Plant Police reportedly stated that the fire has been contained, though damage assessment is still ongoing.
This incident comes just days after another fire at the same facility on 19 May, when 200 tonnes of molten steel spilled during transit from the blast furnace. Authorities are now under pressure to address recurring safety concerns at the state-run plant.
Officials have reportedly assured a thorough investigation into the cause, while operations remain partially halted. Financial losses are expected to be substantial, though an exact figure has not yet been released.
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