At about midnight Friday the Catano area in Puerto Rico was rocked by several powerful explosions. The explosions were so huge that the windshields and car window of passing vehicles were shattered injuring the drivers. The explosions came from the facility which is used by Gulf gasoline as a storage and distribution area.
The facility is called Caribbean Petroleum Corp. The first task for the fire fighters is to keep the fire from spreading because if the more storage area picks fire, there would be more blasts.
FBI is also helping the authorities to determine the cause and minimize the damages. Aerial surveillance of the area revealed that 11 out of 30 fuel storage tanks have blasted. Firefighters are trying their best to keep the remaining 19 tanks cool.
The whole area is enveloped in thick putrid smoke. Government acting immediately on the news has announced that, all the schools in nearby areas would remain close on Friday. The residents have been advised against the smoke and pollution.
The cloud of smoke is so thick that it is anticipated to disrupt the air traffic, prompting the air traffic controllers to cancel some flights.
Meanwhile the gasoline company has announced that all of its employees are safe and sound.
The fire is not at all expected to be extinguished any time soon, further complicating the matters.
The people who could have been directly affected by the air pollution were removed from the area including some 80 personnel living in a secure facility.
Puerto Rico on Fire
Comments