Storage tanks containing petrol and diesel caught fire at Butcher Island, situated close to the Elephanta Island on the Thane creek near Mumbai on Friday evening.
The fire is said to be huge as it was visible from the Gateway of India in Mumbai, located around 8 km away from the spot.
Officials reported that the fire broke out at two fuel storage tanks.
The fire broke out around 5 in the evening at tank number 13 and 14, which have a storage capacity of around 10 to 15 lakh litres each, port officials said.
Although the fire is said to be in control, fire fighting operations are still underway. No casualties have been reported so far.
The fire services department has already begun with the decantation procedure of the oil tankers for precautionary measures. Two storage tankers have already been decanted. Decantation of another tank might take up to 15 more hours, Maharastra fire services Director reported.
Butcher Island has an oil terminal used by the port authorities to offload it from oil tankers. The crude oil is stored in oil containers on the island.
(With inputs from ANI)
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