What happened

A fire broke out on the coal-transporting conveyor belt serving NTPC's Talcher Kaniha Super Thermal Power Station. Burning coal and the belt produced dense smoke and damaged a substantial conveyor section near the 500 MW Unit 3. NTPC briefly shut Unit 3 as a precaution while all five other generating units remained at full load and the wider coal-supply system continued operating normally. The CISF fire wing and plant disaster team responded immediately, supported by Odisha fire services. Initial reports counted two outside fire tenders; a later local account described three tenders in total along with the plant's internal sprinkler system. Crews fully extinguished the blaze within about two hours. One CISF responder received minor first aid and was discharged; no serious injuries were reported. Excessive heat in the coal-carrying belt was considered a possible trigger, but NTPC said the precise cause and damage required investigation. This entry therefore covers a coal-handling and conveyor fire, not a confirmed coal-stockpile fire.

When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.