Guwahati: The fire at the 5,000 kl petrol tank of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)'s Assam Oil Division triggered by explosions by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in Tinsukia district on March 8 was still burning even as the intensity of the flames was reducing.

IOC sources said the petrol in the tank was expected to be burnt out by March 9 night.

Fire-tenders with foam and water were battling the blaze in the tank measuring 11 metre-by-26 metre, the sources said.

Meanwhile, petroleum finished products from other tanks have been drained out and shifted elsewhere as a precautionary measure, the sources said.

At least 25 per cent of the metal tank from the top has melted so far as a result of the fire, the sources said.

Official sources suspected rocket-propelled grenades or mortars were used to target the tank as the two holes punched into it by the explosives were on the top, which was too high above the ground to be hit by regular grenades.

An ULFA militant who was arrested at Teok in Jorhat district a few days ago had in a statement told police that the outfit had planned to strike oil installations on March 16, "ULFA sainik diwas".

An internal inquiry into the fire has been ordered and the report was to be submitted by March 10, the sources said.

PTI