Colony shocked as tar burnt near LPG depot

Families residing near the Hindustan Petroleum gas godown in Mahendra Hills are literally living on a tinder box.The godown stocks over 1,000 gas cylinders at any given time and the workers are often careless and callous.
The other day, local residents were shocked to see them burning a huge fire near the cylinders apparently to melt tar.If something untoward happens, there is enough fuel in the godown to blow up the entire area.There is no fire fighting equipment in the godown except for two small fire extinguishers.
“Last month, we woke up one morning to a pungent smell coming out of the gas godown,” said Ms Shalini Saincher, a resident of Mahendra Hills.“We contacted the manager, who came and found that there was a problem with one of thecylinders.”Residents also complain that the loading and unloading of the gas cylinders causes much noise pollution in the area.

“We have been doing this business for more than half a century and if houses have come up alongside, we cannot be held responsible,” said an HP official. “We follow all safety measures as stipulated by HP.”Mr Mohan Reddy, assistant district fire officer, said his department would inspect the godown and take action if the owner was found to be violating the Fire Act.