A huge fire broke out at the Port of Beirut on Thursday, triggering panic among residents traumatized by last month’s massive explosions there that killed and injured thousands of people.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire at the facility, which was decimated by the August 4 explosion when nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated, triggering a shock wave explosion. More than 190 people were injured in that blasts, which injured around 6,500 others and devastated entire neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital.
On Thursday, a column of black smoke billowed from the port at midday with orange flames leaping from the ground. The Lebanese army said the fire is at a warehouse where oil and tires are placed in the duty free zone at the port, adding that fighting the blaze is ongoing and that army helicopters are taking part in the operation.
Fire burns in the port in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, September 10, 2020.
Hussein Malla/AP
Panicked residents cracked open windows and called each other to warn them of the new fire. Local TV stations said the companies that have offices near the port have asked their employees to leave the area. Lebanese troops closed the major road that passes near the port referring traffic to other areas.
What is this?? Heavy smoke rising above Ashrafieh. My taxi driver is panicking. pic.twitter.com/ba94rdN4mj
— Sunniva Rose (@Sunniva_Rose) September 10, 2020
This is a developing story.