Baratang | March 1, 2026
A potentially major disaster was averted on Sunday afternoon after firefighters from Fire Station (FS) Baratang swiftly brought a blaze under control at a bitumen heating plant in Sundargarh, Baratang.
According to sources, the incident occurred at around 3:49 pm at M/s Mohan Mutha Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.’s Bitumen Heating Plant, where a 20-ton bitumen storage tank caught fire. The flames threatened to spread to nearby areas and posed a risk to ongoing NH-04 road construction works in the region.
Upon receiving the emergency call, the FS Baratang team promptly rushed to the site with fire fighting vehicles. Firefighters deployed foam compound and dry chemical powder to smother the flames and prevent further escalation. Through coordinated efforts and swift action, the fire was brought under control within approximately 30 minutes.
Mr. R. Alagerswamy, Zilla Parishad Member from Baratang region stated that timely intervention by the firefighting team minimized damage and ensured the safety of personnel at the plant. All employees were safely evacuated, and no casualties or injuries were reported.
Mr. R. Alagerswamy stated that preliminary assessments indicate property worth approximately ₹80 lakh was saved due to the swift response, ensuring the continuity of the ongoing infrastructure project.
The firefighters also worked in close coordination with plant officials to secure the premises and prevent re-ignition. The management and staff of the company reportedly appreciated the prompt and effective response of the FS Baratang team.
