21st February 2003
FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a huge fire at a fuel depot in
New York City.
A propane barge is thought to have exploded as it was being
refueled at the Port Mobile Oil facility on Staten Island
according to Sky News reports.
“We have a preliminary report that tanker was transferring
a product or was being fuelled and somehow ignited,”
Fire Department Chief William Van Wart said.
FBI spokesman Steve Kodak in Newark, New Jersey, said there
was no indication of terrorism.
Smoke from the facility billowed up to 1000 feet above
the city's skyline as firefighter's brought the blaze under
control whilst onboard a number of firefighting boats.
The Exxon Mobil facility is capable of holding more than
two million barrels of fuel and the facility is reported
to supply the entire East Coast of America.
Residents of Staten Island have been advised to keep their
windows closed to avoid breathing toxic smoke from the blaze
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