Panic gripped Uran on Monday, September 8, after a massive fire broke out at the ONGC plant, sending thick plumes of black smoke soaring into the sky, visible from miles away. The incident occurred around 2.15 pm near the main crude oil pipeline that transports fuel from the Arabian Sea to the facility.
As flames erupted, residents of nearby villages such as Nagav and Kegaon rushed out of their homes in fear, recalling past tragedies at the same site. Roads leading to the area were swiftly sealed by authorities as a precautionary step, heightening anxiety among locals who feared the blaze could spread further.
Multiple fire tenders, including ONGC’s own firefighting unit, were deployed.
Dr. Uddhav Kadam, Uran Tehsildar, said, “The fire was brought under control by evening after several hours of continuous dousing operations. The situation is under control and there is no danger to the surrounding areas.”
ONGC’s Public Relations team also clarified that no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. Employees at the facility were evacuated as a precaution, and operations in the affected section were suspended pending further inspection.
For villagers in Uran, however, the fire rekindled haunting memories. The ONGC plant has witnessed serious mishaps before, including the 2019 blaze that killed four employees and injured several others.
A resident from Nagav said, “Every time we see smoke rising from the plant, our hearts skip a beat. Today’s fire brought back those memories.”
By evening, visuals of the flames and towering smoke columns had gone viral on social media, fueling frenzy. Police had to control crowds of onlookers who gathered near the blocked approach roads to catch a glimpse of the blaze.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, safety experts said repeated incidents at the Uran facility underline the urgent need for stricter monitoring of crude transfer pipelines and regular audits of fire safety systems.
