MANGALURU: A blast followed by a fire was reported at the CHT unit, the Hydro Sulphur Treatment Unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), on Wednesday.The fire has since been brought under control, city police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said.One person, identified as Rajesh Baptist, sustained burn injuries covering around 35% of his body and was shifted to Srinivasa Hospital. He is undergoing treatment in the ICU and doctors said he is out of danger.Six other people who suffered minor injuries at an adjacent office were given outpatient treatment and underwent medical check-ups, police said.The city police commissioner, deputy commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO are present at the site. Police said there was no major cause for concern and that necessary precautionary measures were being taken.MRPL also confirmed that there were no casualties in the incident and appealed to people not to panic.The blast sent a loud boom across several kilometres, with thick black smoke billowing from the refinery premises. Residents of Jokatte and Surathkal reported that their houses shook and doors and windows vibrated following the explosion.The blast was also reportedly heard at Mangaluru airport, where windows of the administrative office rattled. Fire tenders and emergency teams were rushed to the refinery, while ambulances were seen leaving the premises.On the advice of the district administration, Mangaluru airport is conducting a visual inspection of vital installations in and around the airport, including the Precision Approach Lighting Category I systems and peripheral roads, to check their operational readiness.Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said he was in constant touch with MRPL officials, the police commissioner and Fire and Emergency Services Department officials and was proceeding to the spot to assess the situation.He appealed to people to remain calm, refrain from spreading rumours or misinformation, and cooperate with the administration. Local hospitals were also instructed to remain prepared as a precautionary measure.
