ONGC oil well fire rages into 2nd day in AP’s Konaseema, flames over 100-ft high | Watch

• Massive gas blowout at ONGC's Mori-5 well sends flames 100 feet high for 2nd day
• Over 600 people evacuated, schools shut, and a strict No-Go Zone declared
• Crisis teams and experts work to control the fire and cap the well.

Did our AI summary help?

A massive gas blowout at ONGC’s Mori-5 well in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, Andhra Pradesh, continued for the second day on Tuesday, sending flames over 100 feet into the sky and filling parts of Razole town with thick black smoke.

Firefighting teams have been working through the night to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading. Authorities are focusing on cooling the wellhead and protecting surrounding coconut plantations and aquaculture ponds. High-pressure water pipes brought from Narsapuram are being used to create a “water umbrella” around the well to contain the fire.

A specialised crisis management team from Delhi is on its way to lead well-control operations, and international experts are being consulted to help bring the situation under control. Officials have said it could take at least 24 hours to stop the gas leak completely, News18 reported.

District Collector R Mahesh Kumar said the well is located on an insulated layer that may hold 30 to 40 million tonnes of oil and gas reserves. If underground pressure does not decrease by this afternoon, officials may attempt to mechanically cap the well, a complicated process that could take several days.

What led to the fire?

The blowout occurred during re-drilling operations when crude oil and gas suddenly gushed out with force. Gas has spread over several kilometres around Irusumanda village in Malikipuram mandal, creating panic among locals. The strong smell of crude oil has forced residents to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

Authorities have declared a strict “No-Go Zone” within a 1-kilometre radius of the site. Over 600 people, roughly 300 families from Irusumanda and nearby villages, have been shifted to relief camps.

Loudspeaker alerts have been issued in a 5-km radius, warning residents to avoid using electrical appliances, gas stoves, or any fire sources to prevent further ignition. Schools in the area have been closed for the next 48 hours.

The incident occurred at around 12.20 pm on Monday during “production enhancement” work. The well, previously abandoned, was being reactivated by ONGC contractor Deep Industries Ltd. Technical teams were performing perforation activities at a depth of 2.7 kilometres when a sudden surge in pressure caused a gas-and-crude-oil blowout, which ignited within minutes.

ONGC said it immediately isolated the site and activated crisis management teams. Cooling operations are ongoing, and preparations are being made for well-control and possible capping. Because of the high pressure, simply closing valves is not possible. Officials have said they are following standard protocols for Category-1 blowouts, similar to the 1995 Pasarlapudi incident.

Fire services and NDRF teams are using nitrogen tankers and large water monitors to maintain a continuous water curtain over the wellhead. Officials noted that the fire may continue until underground pressure subsides or the pipeline system collapses.

Despite the massive blaze, no injuries or casualties have been reported, as the well is located about 600 metres from the nearest homes.