A devastating fire today broke out near the Indian Oil Corporation's Guwahati Refinery, official sources said.
Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Prateek Hajela said that the fire broke out around 6 am near the Carbon Gate of the refinery.
Several houses were gutted though there was no report of any casualty or injury, he said.
Seven fire tenders were pressed into service to control the fire which was finally contained after two hours though thick smoke still enveloped the area.
The fire was suspected to have been caused following by a spark in a leaking crude oil carrying pipeline, Hajela said.
The refinery authorities, however, refused to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Locals also alleged that the fire was caused by a spark in the effluents released by the refinery in the bypass drain.
The exact loss due to the fire was yet to be ascertained though it was expected to be the tune of several lakhs of rupees, sources added.
