A devastating fire broke out late last night at the Janakpur Refineries Company, located in Mithila Municipality-7, Dhalkebar. While no casualties were reported, the industrial facility has suffered catastrophic property and equipment damage.
Preliminary assessments provided by the refinery’s management estimate the financial loss at approximately Rs 150 million. The blaze specifically targeted the core operational area of the plant, which is primary involved in the refined oil processing business.
The Incident and Rescue Efforts
According to Refinery Manager Sanjaya Gupta, the fire ignited late Thursday night and spread rapidly through the machinery sections. Key industrial assets, including steam and thermofuel machines, were completely gutted before the flames could be contained.
The emergency response involved a massive coordination effort:
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Firefighting Squads: Five fire engines were dispatched from Janakpur, Mahendranagar, and Dhalkebar.
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Security Personnel: Teams from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Army worked for over two hours to prevent the fire from reaching nearby storage tanks and residential areas.
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Containment: The fire was successfully brought under control by early Friday morning.
Investigation Underway
Police Inspector Laxman KC of the Area Police Office, Dhalkebar, stated that while the fire is out, a detailed investigation is required to determine the exact cause. “It could take several days to finalize the damage report and confirm whether the spark originated from a technical short circuit or other factors,” Inspector KC added.
The Janakpur Refineries Company is a major employer in the Mithila region. This incident is expected to halt production for several months as the company looks to replace the specialized “gutted-to-cinder” machinery required for oil processing.