A massive fire broke out at an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) drilling site in Assam’s Sivasagar district late on Sunday night, sending shockwaves across the oilfield region and triggering panic among nearby residents. The incident occurred at Rig No. 135 in Bokota Koronga Laipaleng, an area well known for oil exploration activities.According to initial reports, the drilling site is currently being operated by S.K. Petro, a private firm contracted by ONGC to carry out drilling operations. Witnesses said the blaze erupted suddenly, with flames shooting up into the night sky, visible from several kilometers away. The fire spread rapidly across the rig site, raising fears of a major industrial disaster in the oil-rich district.
Emergency response teams were immediately pressed into service. Multiple fire tenders rushed to the spot, while personnel from Assam Fire and Emergency Services worked tirelessly through the night to contain the inferno. Local police and district officials also reached the site to assist in crowd control and ensure that villagers were moved away from the danger zone.“Several units have been deployed to prevent the fire from spreading further. Our teams are working in coordination with ONGC officials and the contractor to stabilize the situation,” said an official from the district administration.Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. Workers at the drilling site were evacuated promptly, and nearby residents were advised to remain indoors as precautionary measures. However, the full extent of damage to the rig and surrounding infrastructure is yet to be determined.
Experts note that oilfield fires, though rare, pose significant risks due to the highly flammable nature of crude oil and natural gas. Past incidents in Assam, particularly in Tinsukia’s Baghjan in 2020, have highlighted the devastating consequences such disasters can have on both people and the environment. In this case, however, swift response appears to have prevented the situation from escalating into a larger tragedy. The cause of the fire remains unclear. Technical teams from ONGC and S.K. Petro have begun preliminary investigations, and a detailed inquiry is expected to follow. Officials have assured that all safety protocols are being reviewed to avoid recurrence.