Huge fire breaks out at Beirut port one month after explosion in Lebanon capital

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire
Imogen Braddick10 September 2020

A huge fire has broken out at the Port of Beirut, prompting panic among residents traumatised by last month's explosion which killed at least 190 people and injured thousands.

A column of black smoke billowed from the port at around midday on Thursday.

The Lebanese army said the fire was at a warehouse where oil and tyres are placed in the duty free zone at the port, adding that army helicopters are taking part in efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Troops closed the major road which passes near the port, diverting traffic to other areas.

Black smoke started billowing from the area around midday on Thursday
REUTERS

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire in the area, which was decimated by an explosion on August 4 when nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated, triggering an explosion which blasted windows, doors and walls miles away.

The sight of another huge fire a month later spread panic among residents, with many cracking open their windows and calling to each other to warn them of the new fire.

Local TV stations said the companies which have offices near the port have asked their employees to leave the area.

State-run National News Agency said the fire was at a warehouse where tyres are kept.

The facility is currently under control of the army, a police spokesman said
AP

Police spokesman Colonel Joseph Msalam said they have no information about what is happening at the port, adding that the facility is currently under control of the army.

Asked about reports that the fire was caused by burning tyres and oil, he said: "I don't know. It could be containers. I really don't know what is there."

It was the second fire at the port this week. On Tuesday, a small fire broke out which was quickly extinguished.

Last month's explosion killed more than 190 people, injured around 6,500 and damaged thousands of buildings in the Lebanese capital.

This story is being updated.

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