The fire spread to eight other LPG wagons, endangering the plant, the moment loading of the fuel was over. The mishap reportedly occurred as the loading arm at the rail loading gantry was being dismantled. As many as 32 wagons were being loaded with fuel to be sent to the Indian Oil Corporation's northern sector.

Though no one could say how the fire started, the workers engaged in loading the wagons escaped unhurt. A group having lunch about 30 feet away, however, was injured. It is supposed that a vapour cloud emanating from a wagon got a spark, probably from where the workers were sitting.

The moment the loading personnel saw flames they moved away from the wagon and within a few seconds, wagons on either side of the gantry caught fire. Fortunately enough, there was no explosion, and the low intensity of the fire allowed the LPG to burn itslef out. Fire-fighters said there was no way the fire could have been put out.

Risking their lives, ONGC personnel managed to manually isolate the burning wagons from the rest. Sprinklers were also pressed into service immediately to cool the wagons.

A number of industries, including Reliance, Essar, NTPC and Kribhco, which are located in the area, all rushed their fire tenders and experts to ONGC. Two fire-fighters of the Surat Municipal Corporation were also deployed at the site of the mishap. Group General Manger S Prasad has set up an inquiry committee to probe the mishap, while General manager (Safety) P K Agarwal is to head the inquiry committee and submit a report shortly.

The injured workers were rushed to Adarsh Hospital, where Ramavatar Nandrao, 35, died during treatment. Gokul Yadav, 50, who sustained about 50 per cent burns, is receiving treatment at the same hospital. Following the accident, senior officers of the corporation met to take stock of the situation.