Hundreds evacuated after massive fire at Indonesia’s Balongan oil refinery
- State-run oil firm Pertamina said the blaze, which injured five people, broke out during bad weather
- Television footage showed a massive column of black smoke rising from the site in West Java
About 950 nearby residents had been evacuated, Pertamina said, with videos shared on social media showing huge flames engulfing the 125,000 barrels per day facility, while a large explosion can be heard.
The fire started just after midnight, local media reported, while Pertamina said in a statement it broke out during bad weather. It was conducting “oil flow control” to prevent any further spread.
“The cause of the fire is unknown, but during the incident there was heavy rain and lightning,” Pertamina said.
Pertamina spokesman Ifki Sukarya said five people were being treated in hospital for burns, adding that some were passing near the refinery when the fire broke out. No Pertamina staff were hurt, he said.
The fire was concentrated in the refinery’s storage units, and there had been no impact on the processing plant, Pertamina said.