Tura, May 10: In a gross and deliberate violation of all safety measures, staff of the oldest Indian Oil Corporation petrol pump, also known formerly as AOC, situated in Hawakhana Tura concealed a dangerous fire that ignited inside one of their station rooms on 1st of May keeping the information away from authorities and safety units putting at risk not just the commuters who line up for fuel but also the locality houses adjacent to it.

Tura police unearthed the cover up after being tipped off by an insider and some members of the public who noticed the blaze on that eventful day.

On Monday night, teams of police investigators landed at the petrol station and took into questioning the staff about the incident. They also seized the CCTV footage of that day and began a full investigation into the incident, its alleged cover up and lapses, if any, on fire safety norms.

“We received information that there was a fire inside one of the adjacent rooms on 1st May but it was not informed to us. We have recorded the statement of the staff and also seized the digital video recorder,” informed West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police V S Rathore.

He also said that the Fire and emergency Services in Tura will be conducting a thorough technical probe to find out the cause of the fire and will even undertake an audit of the safety measures, if any, put in place at the petrol station.

“If we find any lapses we will initiate appropriate legal action because peoples’ lives are at stake,” warned SP Rathore.

While police teams were leading away the station attendants for questioning, many consumers unaware of the real story rejoiced believing the management was being hauled up for corrupt and unprofessional tactics.

The petrol station has earned notoriety for allegedly providing poor quality fuel to consumers.