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Fire at Venezuela oil terminal that started Tuesday nearly extinguished

A big fire that appeared on Tuesday at an oil tank in Venezuela's La Salina terminal operated by state company PDVSA is practically totally extinguished, Cabimas firemens stated on Wednesday.

The fire broke out throughout a storm early Tuesday at the facility used by the state oil business near Venezuela's western city of Cabimas to store and ship crude between domestic ports.

Big balls of fire left a plume of black smoke and launched hot steam, leaving more than 21 employees and neighbors with minor injuries. Two surges and the hot temperatures affected the tank's structure, according to videos seen by Reuters.

By Wednesday, the fire was 90% to 95% snuffed out, according to the firefighters and PDVSA sources, leaving the location blackened and covered with large swimming pools of foam.

PDVSA validated the event on Wednesday at crude tank 75012 and said firefighters stopped the fire from reaching other deposits. The neighboring Bajo Grande oil-exporting terminal was not affected.

Fires and power interruptions are regular at PDVSA's scrubby facilities, typically triggering operations disturbances.

(source: Reuters)