Fire in ONGC's GGS pump in Assam, no report of casualty

JORHAT: A major fire broke out in a ONGC Gas Gathering Station (GGS) pump at Titabor Borkhola in upper Assam's Jorhat district following an accidental blast but there was no report of any casualty, officials said today.

A spark in the bonnet heater of GGS number 2 led the oil in the tank to burst into flames at around 9.45 pm yesterday, ONGC sources said.

The crude oil, which was stored in the pump to be sent through pipes for refining, caught fire causing an approximate loss of Rs 50 lakh, the sources said.

Over 25 fire tenders were pressed into service and the flames were doused after nearly three-hour long operation.

Meanwhile, the anti-talk faction of ULFA has claimed responsibility for the explosion.

"The attack was part of our campaign to strike at vital installations as we believe the government is exploiting our natural resources," claimed anti-talk ULFA faction's publicity wing member Aranya Asom.

The ONGC officials however, have, rejected the claim. Repair work at the pump has been started and a probe into the incident has been ordered, they added.