Massive Fire Erupts at Oil Refinery in Iraq’s Semi-Autonomous Kurdistan Region

Late Wednesday night, a massive fire broke out at the asphalt storage facility of an oil refinery located on the Erbil-Gwer road, Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The blaze, which has yet to be brought under control, has mobilized around a dozen firefighting teams who are working tirelessly to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.

The fire erupted suddenly, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the night sky and causing widespread alarm. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before the fire engulfed the facility. "I was close to the refinery when I heard the sound. There was a big bang," one witness told Rudaw. While Rudaw has not been able to independently verify the information, it was reported that one person was injured and several others suffered from breathing problems due to the smoke.

Given the scale of the blaze, firefighting teams from across the region have been dispatched to the scene. The teams are working under challenging conditions to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby refineries. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and an investigation is expected to be launched once the flames are under control.

Why It Matters : The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Fire incidents are not uncommon in the area, with the Kurdistan Region Police Directorate recording 7,546 fire incidents in 2022 alone. The frequency of such events raises concerns about safety standards and emergency preparedness in industrial facilities. The fire at the Erbil-Gwer road refinery is particularly alarming given its proximity to other refineries, which could potentially escalate the situation if the fire spreads.

This is not the first time the region has experienced such a disaster. In October, a fire broke out at an asphalt factory near Arbat town in the east of Sulaimani, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to three others. These recurring incidents highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies.

As of now, firefighting teams continue their efforts to control the blaze. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring the fire to prevent further damage. The local community is on high alert, and emergency services are prepared to respond to any additional incidents that may arise.

Key Takeaways

• A significant fire broke out at an oil refinery on Erbil-Gwer road, with no casualties reported so far.
• Around a dozen firefighting teams are working to control the blaze, which remains uncontained.
• The cause of the fire is still unclear, and an investigation is expected once the fire is controlled.
• The fire's location near other refineries raises concerns about potential escalation.
• The incident highlights the frequent occurrence of fire incidents in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing the need for better safety measures.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TrimFeed (@trimfeednews)