Hundreds in India Flee Blast, Fire at Troubled Atomic Plant

Fearing another Chernobyl or Bhopal disaster, hundreds of panicky Indians fled an explosion and fire at a trouble-plagued Indian Atomic Energy Commission plant.

An Indian government spokesman said Wednesday that the fire was put out after 90 minutes. There was no nuclear material at the plant and, therefore, no possibility of a radiation leak, the spokesman said.

But the accident Tuesday, at Talcher in eastern Orissa state, was likely to be a setback to Indian efforts to produce enough heavy water for its ambitious nuclear power program.

Heavy water is made up of oxygen and a heavier isotope of hydrogen than that found in the atmosphere. It is used for cooling nuclear reactors as well as in scientific experiments and industrial purposes.

Called Devastating

The Press Trust of India, describing the blaze as devastating, said hundreds of families fled the area when the fire broke out at 9 p.m.

Workers employed at the plant also ran for safety as about 12 fire engines raced to the scene. The news agency said the small blast and fire were caused by a broken gas pipeline.

A workers’ association spokesman, who was not identified, was quoted by local reporters as saying the explosion and fire came after a hydrogen pump’s capacity was exceeded to increase production.

Plant officials could not be reached for comment because of faulty phone lines.

Damage Being Assessed

There were no reports of injuries, and investigators were assessing damage to the plant, which was shut down.

The $60-million plant used gas byproducts from an adjacent fertilizer factory for some of its fuel.

United News of India said it was the first accident at the Talcher plant. Work on the plant, based on West German design, began in 1972, but the unit only began producing heavy water in December, 1985.

News reports said delays were caused by equipment malfunctions and problems concerning the plant’s design.