A significant fire broke out at the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project, operated by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), in Bihar's Aurangabad district on Friday evening. The blaze sent towering flames and dense smoke into the sky, visible from distant villages and causing alarm among local residents.
Fire Erupts During Maintenance, Unit Already Shut Down
The incident occurred at Unit-1 of the major power facility. According to NTPC officials, the fire originated in the cooling tower area while routine maintenance work was being carried out. Deputy General Manager (Safety) Mansukh Bhai clarified that power generation from the affected unit had already been halted for the maintenance activities when the fire started suddenly.
"The fire broke out suddenly in the cooling tower area during maintenance work. Some nearby equipment and materials stored at the site have suffered significant damage," stated Bhai. He confirmed that an assessment of the financial losses is currently in progress and emphasized that all maintenance operations would remain suspended until a thorough safety review is completed.
Firefighting Efforts and Preliminary Damage Assessment
Firefighting teams battled the flames for several hours before managing to bring the situation under control. Personnel involved in the operation indicated that the damage caused is substantial and could amount to several crores of rupees. However, NTPC has not yet released an official estimate of the losses.
The company's management moved quickly to address public concerns, issuing a statement confirming that no injuries or loss of life were reported due to the incident. The safety of all personnel on site was assured.
Local Panic and Official Response
The visual of large flames and billowing smoke created anxious scenes in the villages surrounding the Nabinagar plant. A large number of worried local residents, including families of plant employees, gathered near the premises seeking information and reassurance about the safety of their loved ones.
In response to the incident, NTPC has initiated an internal inquiry to determine the precise cause of the fire. The focus remains on investigating the circumstances that led to the blaze during what was supposed to be a controlled maintenance procedure. The findings of this probe are expected to guide future safety protocols at the facility and similar NTPC projects across the country.
