Friday, September 29, 2006

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A blaze of "huge proportions" broke out late Wednesday at Cuba's biggest oil refinery in Havana, leaving at least two people injured, authorities said.

"The fire is of huge proportions and its burning out of control at this time, but we're working on it," a fire department spokesman told AFP.

"The oil is on fire and we're trying to stop it from spreading to other tanks ... its serious but we'll get it under control. Its just a matter of time," he added.

An interior ministry official said the fire had injured at least two people, who have been taken to a military hospital.
Unofficial sources, however, said several people had been injured in the blaze.

The fire broke out at around 11:30 pm (0300 GMT) at the Nico Lopez refinery, which was quickly cordoned off by police, allowing access only to firefighters and ambulances.

Another fire broke out 10 years ago at the same refinery, located on Havana Bay 10 kilometers (six miles) from the city center, but it put out in two hours without any injuries or major damage.

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