BOKARO, April 7 -- An unforeseen fire incident occurred during scheduled maintenance work at the mixed gas pipeline in SAIL/Bokaro Steel Plant on the morning of April 6, 2024. The pipeline, responsible for supplying gas to the Re-Heating Furnace of the Hot Strip Mill, was undergoing shutdown for maintenance purposes, devoid of any gas flow.
During the maintenance activity, a fire broke out due to the ignition of residual naphtha, sulphur, tar, and other highly inflammable substances present inside the pipeline. This led to the emission of substantial smoke, spreading throughout the pipeline.
Despite the absence of gas leakage, 23 workers, including some contract workers, stationed in the Re-Heating Furnace area, were exposed to the smoke....