TEHRAN, Dec 11 (NNN-TASNIM) – A huge fire broke out yesterday morning, at an oil refinery in the eastern Iranian province of South Khorasan, leading to the simultaneous explosion of several gas condensates reservoirs.
The fire started at one of the reservoirs of the mini-refinery, which is located in Birjand Special Economic Zone, at 8:45 a.m. local time (0515 GMT), the report said.
Firefighting, rescue and emergency teams were dispatched to the scene immediately, while firefighters were trying to contain the fire, it spread to other nearby reservoirs, causing them to explode simultaneously, added the report.
“Five firefighting groups, as well as, a number of fire engines are at the scene trying to cool the nearby reservoirs down, to prevent further spread of the blaze,” Birjand’s Governor, Ali Fazelifard, was quoted as saying.
He added, the refinery had been completely evacuated, to minimise potential human casualties, noting the cause of the incident had not been determined yet.
The refinery belongs to the Azaran Sanaat Barsava company, which produces light and heavy hydrocarbons using gas condensates.
