Maravi

Indeni closes temporarily after fire

Indeni closes temporarily after fire
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Wed 24 Nov. 2010, 15:50 CAT

INDENI Petroleum Refinery was on Wednesday morning temporary shut down as a precautionary measure following a fire at the section where gases are discharged into the atmosphere.

And Copperbelt police Commanding officer Martin Malama has confirmed the fire incident but said no extensive damage has been done to the refinery.

Meanwhile, Indeni board chairman Teddy Kasonso refused to comment on the matter while managing director Maybin Noole’s office assured that a statement will be issued on the fire incident that has happened a few days after the refinery resumed production after the 45 day annual maintenance.

But sources at ministry of energy and water development disclosed that Indeni has not been gutted but there was a small fire outside the main plant area.

“Indeni has not been gutted and what happened was that there was a fire at the flare which is the point at which gases are burned before discharging them into the atmosphere as per environmental tandards,” said the sources.

“At some point, some product is suspected to have entered the blow down system, which takes gases to the flare and this resulted into a fire and was sent down the guard system at the flare and when this discharged from the system, it ignited a portion around the piping at the flare, but the ensuing fire was contained and extinguished by employees at the scene and the plant was temporary shutdown as a precaution and management will soon re-start it but for more information get in touch with PS Kasonso, who is board chair.”

And Dr Malama said the nation should not be alarmed because the fire did not cause extensive damage.

“We got a call around 04 hrs and by the time we arrived at the scene the fire had been quenched hence the nation should not be alarmed because no extensive damage was done and the incident occurred outside the main plant area,” he said.

Labels: INDENI, MARTIN MALEMA

posted by MrK @ 6:58 PM