Guwahati, Aug 30 - A fire broke out at the Guwahati Refinery Sunday, creating panic in the area. It was extinguished in about half-an-hour and authorities said there were no casualties or damage to the plant.

A refinery spokesperson said the fire broke outside the Sulphur Recovery Unit of the plant Sunday afternoon during a routine shutdown.

'The fire broke out in one of the drains where there was some oil spillage and we managed to bring it under control immediately with no loss of life reported nor any damage to machinery and equipment,' said W. Barbora, deputy general manager of Guwahati Refinery.

'It was a routine shutdown and we are now investigating as to how there was oil spillage in the drain that led to the fire,' he added.