Huge fire breaks out at Lebanon fuel storage facilities

Gulf Today Report

A huge fire broke out in a storage tank at one of Lebanon's main oil facilities in the country's south on Monday, sparking alarm as the country grapples with dire hydrocarbon shortages.

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Firefighters in Lebanon battled to contain a fire at key fuel storage facilities as state-run National News Agency said it was not immediately clear what caused the fire that was still raging more than two hours after it broke out.

Smoke billows from a huge fire in one of the tanks at the Zahrani oil facility in Lebanon on Monday. AFP

The fire broke out at around 8.00am (0500 GMT) in a tank containing petrol belonging to the army at the Zahrani facilities some 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Beirut, the National News Agency and local media said.

There was no immediate report of casualties.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and were battling the blaze in a giant gasoline tanker in the coastal town of Zahrani.

The report said no workers were nearby when the fire started. Lebanese troops closed the main highway linking Beirut with southern Lebanon that passes through Zahrani.

Firefighters attempt to put out a fire at the Zahrani oil facility in southern Lebanon on Monday. Reuters

The Zahrani Oil Installation is about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Beirut. It is close to one of Lebanon’s main power stations, which stopped functioning two days ago due to a fuel shortage. Lebanon is struggling through a serious power crisis that has resulted in electricity cuts lasting up to 22 hours a day.

Most Lebanese saw no major change to their daily lives during the blackout, as those who can afford it have already subscribed to private generators to keep the lights on during the almost round-the-clock power cuts.

Petrol has also been in short supply, forcing motorists to queue for hours outside gas stations to fill up their tank.