The Indian army is trying to contain a massive fire at the Indian Oil Corporation fuel depot. It’s on the outskirts of Jaipur in northwestern India.

Experts say the raging inferno will continue through Friday evening if not later.

The blaze started at the depot in Sitapura industrial area around 7:30 pm on Thursday. It quickly spread to some adjoining industrial units, with massive flames rising from the area.

[M. P. S. Maan, Commander, Infantry Brigade, Jaipur]:
"As far as extinguishing the fire, a specialized team from Mathura has come, and from Bombay are coming and from other places are also are coming, ONGC specialists, they are coming.”

People who live near the depot are being vacated to safer areas.

Two villages near the depot were evacuated and power is cut off across the region as a precautionary measure.

At least 13 people are dead with 200 injured. The exact number of causalities will be known only after the fire is fully doused and brought under control.

Most of the injured were being taken to the three main hospitals in the city.

The army has joined in rescue operations. Several ambulances and fire fighting vehicles were rushed to the spot to contain the fire.

No word on the cause of the fire.