In a heartbreaking incident on the evening of January 1, 2025, a catastrophic fire erupted at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s Hazira plant in Surat, Gujarat. The blaze tragically claimed the lives of four contractual workers and left another injured. The fire, which was triggered by a sudden coal spill, spread quickly within one section of the plant. At the time of the incident, the workers were in a lift, performing maintenance tasks.
Surat's Commissioner of Police, Anupam Singh Gehlot, confirmed that the workers were caught in the fire when they were trapped inside the lift, with no chance of escape. The workers’ deaths have cast a shadow over the plant, and the local police have opened an investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire.
The fire broke out around 6:00 PM during the restart of a unit that had been temporarily shut down. It was during this restart operation that the accident took place. The fire was reportedly caused when coal, which was being handled as part of the plant's operations, spilled suddenly and ignited. The fire spread rapidly, catching the workers in the lift off guard, and tragically, they were unable to escape.
A statement from the company’s spokesperson confirmed that the four workers were part of a private contractor team responsible for maintenance tasks. Three of the deceased workers' bodies were taken to the civil hospital for a post-mortem examination, while the fourth’s body remained at the plant.
The worker who sustained minor injuries was quickly transported to Alivemint Hospital, located within the plant’s premises. Authorities report that the worker is stable and receiving the necessary care.
Following the incident, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India swiftly implemented emergency protocols. The area affected by the fire was immediately cordoned off to ensure no further harm. The company also emphasized that all emergency procedures were activated without delay to minimize the spread of the fire and ensure the safety of remaining workers.
AM/NS India spokespersons acknowledged the severity of the situation, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased workers. The company assured that it was providing full support to the victims’ families during this challenging time. The spokesperson further mentioned that the company was actively cooperating with the local authorities and initiating an internal investigation to understand the root cause of the accident.
While an official accidental death report has not been filed yet, Surat police have confirmed that they are thoroughly investigating the incident. The police have already begun questioning employees, reviewing plant operations, and inspecting the area where the fire broke out.
Gehlot indicated that the plant's authorities had claimed that the incident was the result of equipment failure. However, the investigation will aim to determine whether this was the sole factor or if other operational issues contributed to the fire. Given that the fire occurred during a restart phase, which may have involved multiple systems coming online simultaneously, investigators will be looking into whether proper safety checks were in place.
