September 15, 2005:

Public sector Oil India Ltd has declared an emergency and called for global fire extinguishing experts to control a blaze that broke out on Thursday in one of its wells at Dikom in Upper Assam, even as temperatures reached an unbearable 2000 degree Celsius.

The company had declared an emergency in the area and requisitioned the services of global fire fighting experts Red Adair and Neil Adams to extinguish the blaze, which broke out in an abandoned oil well no 15 on Thrusday, saying it was "beyond our technical team to control the fire with our internal technology," OIL sources said.

The sky in the area was black with thick smoke, ashes and debris scattered everywhere with a film of crude oil covering the ground, they said adding, the roar of the flames could be heard and the blaze seen from several kilometres.

Red Adair: Legendary firefighter
Fire fighters who claimed the temperature there had risen to over 2000 degree Celsius, said over 12 firemen had fainted due to exhaustion and the unbearable heat.

Dibrugarh District Superintendent of Police P C Saloi told PTI over phone that the blaze has not spread any further since Thursday when over 500 families in the area were evacuated to a safer place.

District authorities have blocked the nearby National Highway No 37 as a precautionary measure and snapped power as high tension wires passed near the oil well and spill area.

Source:- www.Rediff.com

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