Fire near oil pipeline in Haryana doused

PANIPAT - Timely action ensured that a major tragedy was averted after a fire broke out in oil containers lying close to the Mathura-Jalandhar pipeline in this Haryana district Sunday, police said.

Acting swiftly, a fire brigade team reached the spot and doused the blaze.

According to police, the incident happened near the Madhona village in the district.

“A few days back, a case was registered regarding the stealing of oil from this pipeline. The thieves used to collect the oil, leaking from various points in the pipeline, in the containers, hidden near the pipeline,” a police officer said.

“Due to heavy rains during the past days, water had filled in the containers and oil had come on the surface. Today some mischievous elements had thrown a burning match-stick and set them on fire. However the flames have been extinguished completely and the situation is totally under control,” he added.

Panipat is around 200 km from Chandigarh.