Fire at Magway Petrochemical Complex Contained with Minimal Damage
A fire erupted at the Thanbayarkan Petrochemical Complex in Minhla Township, Magway Region, on January 23, resulting in the loss of about 350 gallons of crude oil from a pipeline. Responders quickly controlled the blaze, which caused only minor structural damage to storage tank walls, leaving the stored oil safe. Production operations swiftly resumed. The Deputy Minister of Energy inspected the site, emphasizing emergency preparedness and future resource increases for the facility.
On January 23, a fire broke out at approximately 6:05 am at the Thanbayarkan Petrochemical Complex in Minhla Township, Magway Region. Firefighters, plant staff, and brigades from various military units and townships rapidly responded, bringing the blaze under control within an hour by 7:00 am. The incident led to the loss of around 350 gallons of residual crude oil from a damaged external pipeline. According to the factory manager, the fire primarily affected the walls of a crude oil storage tank, with the crude oil inside remaining unharmed. Two tanks involved in the fire will be decommissioned, but other facilities and storage tanks were undamaged, allowing production to resume normally. Later that afternoon, the Deputy Minister of Energy visited the complex to assess the situation. He praised the quick and coordinated efforts of the fire brigades and factory employees. The Deputy Minister underscored the importance of careful pipeline repair to prevent production disruptions and stressed the continuous need for robust emergency preparedness, including personnel, equipment, and machinery, given the highly flammable materials handled at oil refineries. He also announced plans for the ministry to enhance firefighting personnel, engines, and related equipment at the plant in the near future to bolster safety measures.
