There was a thick blanket of smoke soon after the fire broke out with shops and businesses around the refinery shutting down and people fleeing their homes in panic.

'There was total chaos and panic all over the area with people running for their lives thinking there was a big fire at the refinery,' said Arun Das, a resident.

At least five fire tenders were pressed into service and the flames were doused in about 30 minutes.

'There is no need to panic and everything is absolutely fine,' the refinery official said.