Media: Fire breaks out at Russia’s major synthetic rubber plant PHOTO / VIDEO / UPDATED

The fire at the Nizhnekamskneftekhim chemical plant in Tatarstan, Russia, known for producing synthetic rubber and polymers, has been assigned the highest level of severity, engulfing more than 2,000 square meters of the facility, Telegram channel Baza reports.

Nearby homes were damaged by the explosion, with windows shattered and cracks appearing in frames. The city administration has opened a hotline for affected residents to document the destruction.

One person has died in the explosion, and 50 others were injured. Seven people are reported missing, with rescue teams conducting search operations.

Additionally, another individual was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, bringing the total number of patients in intensive care to four.

16:20

In the immediate seconds following the explosion at the Nizhnekamskneftekhim chemical plant, which produces synthetic rubber and polymers, workers were seen rapidly evacuating the site.

15:49

Following an explosion at the Nizhnekamskneftekhim petrochemical plant, a massive column of smoke has risen over the city, local residents report haze and the smell of burning, according to Telegram channel Baza.

The large-scale fire at Nizhnekamskneftekhim is producing thick black smoke, spreading several kilometres above the city. Specialists monitoring air quality have stated that there is currently no threat to residents or the region’s environment.

However, social media users are sharing images of the enormous black cloud, reporting the smell of burning, and advising others to keep windows and vents closed.

15:44

Footage from witnesses in Nizhnekamsk shows a fire in the area housing local thermal power plants, a refinery, and the Nizhnekamskneftekhim plant, ASTRA reports.

Earlier, the mayor of Nizhnekamsk confirmed an explosion at Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) reported that 13 people were injured in the fire at Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

15:29

A fire has broken out at Nizhnekamskneftekhim, one of the world’s largest producers of synthetic rubber, in Russia, with efforts underway to contain the blaze, the press service of SIBUR, a major Russian petrochemical firm, told Tatar-inform.

“Emergency response services have been deployed. Employees not involved in firefighting have been moved to a safe distance,” the statement said. Specialists are monitoring air quality, and the company reported no threats to residents or the environment.

Tatarstan Head Rustam Minnikhanov is being kept informed of the situation, press secretary Liliya Galimova said.

The mayor of Nizhnekamsk also confirmed the fire at Nizhnekamskneftekhim, according to ASTRA.

Mayor Radmir Belyaev stated that the fire is being localised, emergency services are engaged, and staff not involved have been moved to safety. “Accredited laboratory specialists are monitoring air quality, and no threats to residents or environmental conditions have been recorded,” he added. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a key enterprise in SIBUR’s Volga cluster and one of Russia’s main centres for polymer and organic synthesis production.

By Jeyhun Aghazada