A fire incident at the Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) of Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) Plant late Monday night caused panic among workers after a Poclain machine parked in the converter zone suddenly caught fire. The incident took place around 11 pm, but a major tragedy was averted when the machine operator jumped out in time and ran to safety. By the time the fire brigade reached, the machine was completely damaged.
Also Read: Contract Worker Lost Both Hands in Accident at Bokaro Steel Plant
Fire Control and Initial Inquiry
Soon after smoke was spotted, plant officials informed the Bokaro Steel Fire Brigade, which reached the site and managed to control the blaze. According to officials present, the machine was completely damaged and will be treated as “total loss”. No injury was reported. Senior officers including BSL security officials and the DGM of SMS-2 inspected the area and ordered a technical probe into the cause of fire. Early assessment indicates a possible engine malfunction.
Also Read: Two Workers Injured in Electrical Flash at Bokaro Steel Plant
Safety Questions Intensify After Series of Accidents
This fresh incident has reignited questions over workplace safety at Bokaro Steel, which has witnessed seven accidents in just eleven weeks across various units. In August, a report by the Deputy Chief Factory Inspector revealed that the plant had not submitted its mandatory safety audit report for the last two years. The same report flagged deployment of untrained and unskilled labourers in high-risk operations, an issue repeatedly raised by trade unions, political parties and workers’ groups.
Also Read: Another Accident Reported at Bokaro Steel Plant’s SMS-1 Unit, No Casualties
List of Recent Accidents in Bokaro Steel
On 31st October 2025, contract worker Debashish Roy suffered severe crush injuries at Blast Furnace-4 and was later shifted to Kolkata. On 20th October 2025, two workers were burned in an electrical flash at SMS-1. On 12th October 2025, molten iron spilled inside SMS-1 after a ladle puncture. In late September, a crane pulley failure led to a fatal fire in SMS-2, claiming three lives. Other incidents include a gas leak in CRM-03 on 11th September 2025 and a slag drain fall on 29th August that critically injured a worker. The pattern reflects repeated technical and safety lapses, many still under inquiry.
Also Read: Worker Died After Bokaro Steel Accident, Villagers and Unions Blame BSL Management for Safety Lapses
| Date | Location / Unit | Description of Incident |
| 31st October 2025 | Blast Furnace-4 | Hands of a 45-yr-old contract worker trapped in Mudgun machine while filling clay |
| 20th October 2025 | SMS-1 (Steel Melting Shop-1) | Electrical flash during repair work in area repair section |
| 12th October 2025 | SMS-1 | Molten iron spilled due to ladle puncture while transferring metal |
| 28th September 2025 | SMS-2 | Crane pulley carrying molten metal broke, fire broke out |
| 11th September 2025 | CRM-03 (Acid Regeneration Plant-3) | Gas leak incident, strong smell forced evacuation |
| 29th August 2025 | Blast Furnace-5 (Cast House) | Contract worker fell into slag drain after losing balance |
| 10th November 2025 (Latest) | SMS-2 | Updated Above |
Also Read: Third Accident Since June at Bokaro Steel, Inquiry Commissioned by District Administration
Management Under Question, Unanswered Queries Remain
Business Jharkhand emailed seven official queries to the Public Relations Department of Bokaro Steel regarding repeated accidents, safety mechanisms, manpower deployment and pending audits. No written response has been received so far. However, in a general statement issued to media today, BSL’s GM (PR) Manikant Dhan remarked that “minor incidents are often recorded and circulated as videos, and if there is no casualty, we do not term it an accident.” The comment has resulted criticism among workers’ bodies who allege systematic downplaying of safety failures.
“Minor incidents are often recorded and circulated as videos, and if there is no casualty, we do not term it an accident” – Manikant Dhan, GM, PR, BSL
Also Read: Fire Broke Out Again in Bokaro Steel Melting Shop, Four Workers Injured
Probe Awaited, Worker Unions Demand Accountability
The latest fire incident has reopened debate on whether Bokaro Steel Limited is complying with the industrial safety norms mandated under the Factories Act and the internal standards of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Workers’ unions are demanding third-party audits and accountability for repeated mishaps. With no loss of life this time, the incident may not officially enter BSL’s accident logbook, but the frequency of industrial events has already eroded employee confidence and drawn attention from regulatory bodies.
Join the WhatsApp Group of Business Jharkhand to Stay tuned for all the latest updates of industrial-political developments in Jharkhand.
