Injured TVNL workers at a hospital in Gomia on Saturday. Picture by Pankaj Singh

Bokaro, March 26: At least five contract workers were seriously injured when a fire broke out today at the Tenughat Vidyut Nigam Limited (TVNL) in Lalpania, around 70km from Bokaro steel city.

Zakir Ansari (29), Niyaz Ahmad (30), Jagannath Ram (34), Amarnath Prasad (36) and B.C. Dey (38) were rushed to Indian Explosive Hospital in Gomia where their condition is stated to be out of danger.

The fire was caused by a short circuit at the plant’s electrical tripper. The injured were working near the tripper, along with around half a dozen others, who managed to escape from the spot in time. Later, it took the authorities 25 minutes to put out the fire.

“The accident took place during the first shift at 9.40am. The electrical tripper caught fire after a sudden short circuit with a loud bang,” said J.N. Mahto a worker, who was present at the site.

Soon after the incident, senior officials of the plant announced an enquiry into the accident to find out the reasons behind the technical flaw, which led to the fire. Later, several TVNL labour union members met with senior officials and demanded compensation and medical facilities for the victims as well as safety precautions for the plant.

Bokaro deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal directed the Bermo sub-division officer to send him a report. Speaking to The Telegraph, Kaushal said that the injured were now stable.

TVNL power plant, which falls in the Maoist infested zone of Lalpania under Gomia police station, belongs to the Jharkhand government and is now under renovation.